Freedom Park, what’s that?

Freedom Park, what’s that?
No Funds For Construction On Jail Premises
R Jayaprakash | TNN


Liquor bottles strewn all around, a public toilet and a haven for prostitution and vagabonds. This is the state of the erstwhile Central Jail on Seshadri Road. There was much brouhaha when this 28-acre site was earmarked for conversion into a Freedom Park.
Does this ring a bell? A nation-wide competition to pick top architects for the concept plan, crores of rupees allocated in two successive budgets and a campaign to provide an urban lung space and a heritage site! But where is the project headed to now?
Here’s a reality check. Work on the Freedom Park has hit a dead end. The remnants of the grand plan are occasional sightings of workers, mounds of cement and sand, two structures — a museum and an amphitheatre abandoned midway through the construction, a general cell without roofing, and of course, the rusting gallows. There is no one to watch over the watchtower, which is now a favourite hangout for drunkards. So what’s the hitch? It’s the fund crunch, said BBMP officials. What was initially estimated at Rs 8 crore has now jumped to Rs 35 crore due to modifications in the original plan and cost escalation. “The budget allocation was just a part of the project cost. We sought state and central funding under special provision for conservation of heritage sites, but nothing materialised,’’ said officials. Officials are now pinning their hopes on the state government.
Architects at Mathew and Ghosh — the firm which won the all-India competition — are a disappointed lot.
The competition was conducted in 2003 and for almost three years, nothing has moved. “Towards the end of 2006, they made us consultants for the project. But work has been stalled as the BBMP expects funds from the state and Centre. The project should have been completed by September this year, but going by the current speed, it will take another year,’’ said architect Soumitro Ghosh.
THE PLAN
‘Freedom’ is the theme for landscaped amphitheatre for concerts and performances Green space for recreation A cenotaph inscribed with the names of leaders imprisoned during the Freedom Struggle and later years Other attractions: Open gallery, gardens, waterbodies, museum, restaurant, information corridor, people’s court, tower block, art and books corner, and a cafe
STATUS REPORT
Location: Erstwhile Central Jail on Seshadri Road
All-India competition to design park held in 2003
Completion date: Set for September this year, but will be delayed by at least a year
Initial budget of Rs 8 crore revised to Rs 35 crore; severe funds shortage now