KOCHI: The Indira Priyadarshini Children's Park known as Ernakulam Children's park will be a disabled-friendly park. Tourism Minister Kadakampally Surendran on Thursday inaugurated the renovation work of the park which is funded by Tourism Department.
The renovation work is carried out by Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering Co. Ltd (KEL). "Once the park was a famous place to visit for children as well as the elders in Kerala. However, over the years, equipment here became non-functional. Our intention is to provide a world-class park which can be accessed by children and elders. We expect the park will be opened for the children before next summer vacation after completing the work. The tourism Department can provide additional funds if the currently allocated fund is found inadequate," he said.
The Tourism Department has sanctioned `4 crore for the renovation of the project. Hibi Eden MLA has promised additional funds if in case there is a shortage of funds. As part of the renovation, a new entrance gate will be constructed. New playing equipment would be introduced. The buggy train would be renovated and there will be boating and skating facilities. There will be a computerised gaming area. The garden and cafeteria will be renovated. There will be a new energy park. In addition to it, there will be CCTV cameras in all parts of the park. A new toilet complex will be constructed and there will be drinking water facility.
"The park still remains the same as during my childhood days. The equipment has been broken. The Corporation should cooperate in disposing waste from the park" said Hibi.Shaji M Varghese, MD of KEL said that park would be disabled-friendly. He presented the renovation plan during the function. "We will be completing the work before April next year.
There will ramps so that disabled persons can access all corners of the park. The design of the park is made by a company run by NIT graduates. This will be a prime project for KEL," he said.K P Nandakumar, Joint Director, Kerala Tourism, said the park will be visited by domestic and international tourist arriving in Kochi. He said the Children's Park will be provided with the world-class facilities. Mayor Soumini Jain and former Kerala Tourism Mart (KTM) president Abraham George also spoke on the occasion.
The Tourism Department has sanctioned `4 crore for the renovation of the project. As part of the renovation, a new entrance gate will be constructed. New playing equipment would be introduced. The buggy train would be renovated and there will be boating and skating facilities.