KOCHI: With around two dozen parks in a single division of Kochi corporation, Panampilly Nagar has been a sort of oasis in the bustling city. The division one among the 74 divisions or wards in the corporation shows how proper town planning can ensure adequate open spaces in any area.
Panampilly Nagar is one of the few places in Kochi which have been designed as per a town planning scheme. There are mainly three areas designed separately for the higher income group (HIG), middle income group (MIG) and lower income group (LIG). When the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA) developed the area around four decades ago, the agency gave more thrust on town planning schemes.
“There were more than two dozen parks in Panampilly Nagar. Now, three or four parks have been alienated or buildings have come up there. Still, there are around 20 parks in Panampilly Nagar,” said V K Thankaraj, former councillor of Kochi corporation.
There are seven parks in the housing board (HB), a posh area where many heavyweights in politics, cinema and business magnates had once stayed. There are two parks each in areas for HIG and MIG. For LIG, there are six parks. There is one near Krishna Vihar and two each in Kasturba Nagar and Shastri Nagar. “There were around 600 families in LIG. Now, most of the residents have moved out and have rented out their houses. So, the area is still a densely populated area. There are very few residents belonging to middle-income and high-income groups. Most residents have gone back to their native places or are staying abroad. So, parks in these areas remain almost abandoned,” said Thankaraj, former secretary of Ernakulam District Congress Committee.
On Shihab Thangal Road in Panampilly Nagar, Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has developed a walkway. “ It is a classic example of how people can be attracted to open spaces once the authorities provide proper infrastructure,” said Joseph Chandy, an architect.
At the same time, there isn’t any agency for ensuring proper upkeep of the parks. “Earlier, residents’ associations took care of the maintenance of parks. Now, most parks lack proper maintenance. Another thing is that in the absence of residents, these parks are frequented by lovers and young couples,” Thankaraj said.
