CHENNAI: So far, 8,316 people have died of covid-19 in Chennai, since the pandemic broke out in March 2020. To pay a tribute to the families who lost their kin, the Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to set up a covid-19 memorial park.
“We wanted to give an opportunity to the families to honour the memories of the departed. Hence, we decided to set up a corona memorial park in the land beneath the Mint Flyover in Royapuram zone. It has an area of about 3 acres,” said Srinivasan, executive engineer, parks department.
The civic body has prepared estimated for Rs 5 crore and already cleared the land of garbage, debris and has levelled it. The families of covid-19 victims would be invited to plant a sapling at the park in memory of their loved ones. Designated spaces would be created and each would be provided a unique number, which would then be shared with the families. “We would also supply the sapling from government nurseries,” he said.
A specific day will be allocated for each family and they will be invited to plant the sapling in their designated space. These saplings will be maintained by the GCC. Trees and plants of various sizes, shapes and colours, all of indigenous varieties, will be planted.
“This memorial will also have a walking pathway, landscaped gardens, seating spaces and children play area,” said an official.
