Corporation working out estimate to refurbish park near Otteri lake

Talking to DT Next, Corporation commissioner C Vijaykumar said that the estimate would be ready in a week when the actual cost would be known. The proposed plan would bring the park back to full ‘working condition’ within six months, he added.

Located on the banks of the Otteri lake close to Bagayam, which is the main drinking water source for Vellore town, the park also serves as a major entertainment spot for locals in the vicinity.

Though the facility is in a bad shape and is full of weeds and thorny bushes, it still draws around 30 to 40 people on weekdays and the number swells during the weekends.

Sources said that an entry fee of Rs 5 was being charged per head and the daily collection ranged between Rs 90 and Rs 100 on weekdays and during weekends it would be somewhere around Rs 350.

While the collection is undertaken by the lone watchman at the park, Corporation officials promptly collect the daily toll and pay it in the urban body’s account.

The local body, which is keen on renovating the facility, has decided to repair the children’s play equipment in addition to the removal of weeds and thorns.

The civic body also plans to create seating facilities for elders, who accompany the children. “Though there is a flight of steps that leads to the upper bund of the lake, visitors are disappointed that the area has not been fenced. Further, there is no vantage point from where the public can view the entire lake,” says T Asokan, a trader, who recalls that there used to be times when locals would come with food and spend the entire day swimming in the lake.