FREEDOM PARK in 45 days

FREEDOM

TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: Thursday seemed a day to set clearcut deadlines for a few projects that have been under progress for some time now. The Freedom Park in Seshadripuram was just one on the list. The park will finally be open to the public in another 45 days.
The announcement was made by ministers Katta Subramanya Naidu and R Ashok, who visited the park with BBMP officials on Thursday. Yet to be complete in all aspects, this ‘landmark’ project on the old Central Jail campus is many years old already. The park, that was proposed to be complete in a year, is just completing phase one.
Presently estimated at Rs 16 crore, the tender for the project was called for in 2004, and actual work began in 2006. “Work on the project started when I was health minister. Over the years, my portfolio has changed, but the project still remains under progress,’’ minister Ashok told reporters. The reasons for the delay are under probe, and those responsible will be punished, assured the ministers.
The park covers 15.5 acres of the total 20 acres. Much of its structural framework has been completed in phase one. This includes the information corridor, amphitheatre with a seating capacity of 300 and a small theatre, apart from the heritage building and landscaping. Almost three places at the park have been developed to harvest rainwater. There are close to 10 percolation pits so far, and facilities for 114 sprinklers.
The urban park is a mix of the old and contemporary. Most of the old barracks have been renovated — one will also be converted into a city museum. The cell yard will be converted into a book museum to showcase the literature of Karnataka. There are also plans to convert the old hospital block into a cafeteria.
However, most of the developments are central to the panopticon plan of the jail. Many parts of the old building have been retained, including the centrally located watch tower and the two parallel walls before it, which are one of the oldest features. The original entrance of the jail, built in 1867, has been retained as an entry to the museum on the first floor.
Following a recent request by the police commissioner for some space for protests, it has been decided that the 5-acre vacant land will be utilised as a rally area. Alongside, there will also be an underground cellar parking zone, developed on the ‘Swiss challenge’ method. The proposed parking space on two levels will accommodate 800 cars and 400 two-wheelers. Work on this will start in the second phase.
The musical fountain around the watch tower for the sound and light shows, and installation of permanent art works on the main jail wall, that runs for half-a-kilometre and is also called the ‘freedom wall’, has been scheduled for the second phase. The information corridor will be converted into a multimedia gallery housing large LED screens showcasing different facets of Karnataka.
The children’s park area overlooking the plaza space will also have traditional games like hop-scotch and large chess boards embedded for better play facilities.
MONEY TALK
According to BBMP officials, the actual cost is projected at Rs 78 crore, to be worked out in three phases. But with budgetary concerns, the project had to be reworked for Rs 10.27 crore. However, with additional requirements, the total cost of the project is now Rs 16 crore. Ashok has also directed the BBMP to consider all aspects of the project while framing the tenders, to avoid delays in execution.