PHA, citizens abandon Canal Park

After its renovation in 2010, the recreational facility used to be major attraction

FAISALABAD:

The Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has left abandoned the colourful Canal Park along the Rakh Branch, depriving thousands of residents of squatter settlements around Shaheen Abad, Railway Colony, Factory Area, Samanabad and Samundri Road of recreational activities.

Former DCO Naseem Sadiq had arranged renovation of the park in 2010 with the installation of a replica of the traditional ox mill and building of several huts in addition to tea stalls, which was a great source of entertainment for the people of surrounding localities.

Initially, the park was outsourced to private firms because of lack of government funds but the city district government later handed it over to the PHA to provide affordable recreational opportunities to the people of Faisalabad.

Sources told The Express Tribune that the PHA was already maintaining 350 parks previously and was not able to meet the increasing cost of about half of nonfunctional parks and green belts stretching across the city.

The PHA administration also repeatedly demanded bailout packages and subsidies from the city and provincial authorities, which was declined.

Seeing the deterioration of the Canal Park, the residents also stopped visiting it and turned to other areas for recreation.

Nowadays, the park has become deserted after being abandoned for a long time by the authorities concerned as well as the citizens.

Anti-social elements and drug addicts have stolen the iron grill and barbed wires erected along the walls of the park.

PHA Director Abdullah Nisar Cheema said the authority was not in a position to spend a single penny on the renovation of the park because of diversion of development funds to combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

“The Punjab government and PHA are in dire need of funds to pay even the monthly salary of regular employees,” said the PHA director.

He added that as soon as the PHA would receive development funds, the park would be developed and made more attractive for the citizens of Faisalabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2020.