No Lights, No Safety: Park turns into evening danger zone
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: The public park in Sector-6 of Trikuta Nagar, once a refreshing green retreat for residents, today presents a picture of neglect and apathy. Broken walking tracks, absence of flowers, overgrown patches, and poor cleanliness have turned what should be a vibrant community space into a dilapidated and unmanaged area.
Adding to residents’ concerns is the complete absence of lighting inside the park. After sunset, the entire park plunges into darkness, making it unsafe and inaccessible for families. Locals allege that taking advantage of the darkness, anti-social elements and drug addicts often assemble inside the park, while outsiders occupy benches and create nuisance. “The park has virtually become a no-go zone in the evening. Women, children, and senior citizens cannot even think of entering after dusk,” said a resident, warning that the lack of lighting has turned a public facility into a security risk.
Morning walkers, senior citizens, and children-who once frequented the park for exercise and recreation-now express disappointment over its deteriorating condition. The jogging track is damaged at several places, making it unsafe for walkers, while benches and green patches show clear signs of neglect. Not a single flower bed reflects the care and planning expected of a public garden in a prominent residential locality.
Residents recall that when the park was under the Floriculture Department, it was well maintained, neatly landscaped, and regularly cleaned. Seasonal flowers, trimmed hedges, and a sense of order made it a pride for the area. However, since parks have come under the jurisdiction of the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), the Sector-6 park has reportedly been left unattended for months.
“The difference is visible to the naked eye. Earlier, the park was lively and well-kept; today it looks abandoned,” said a local resident, adding that repeated verbal complaints have failed to bring any tangible improvement.
Public parks are not merely open spaces; they are essential for physical fitness, mental well-being, and community bonding. The present condition of the Sector-6 Trikuta Nagar park reflects poorly on civic management and deprives residents of a basic urban amenity.
Residents have urged the JMC to take immediate corrective measures-restore the damaged track, install proper lighting, ensure regular cleaning, reintroduce flower beds, and deploy adequate maintenance and security staff. They also demand a clear accountability mechanism so that such valuable public assets do not fall into decay.
A timely intervention by the Jammu Municipal Corporation can not only revive this park but also restore public confidence. Continued neglect, residents warn, risks turning a once-beautiful green space into a permanent eyesore and safety hazard in the heart of Trikuta Nagar.