Port Blair, June 11: Green Connect-a Smart City project proposed by the Port Blair Municipal Council has been planned to be developed from Joggers Park to Gandhi Park. Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament and K Ganeshan, former-Chairperson, PBMC today visited the Joggers Park-City Forest–Gandhi Park which is proposed to be developed under Smart City as ‘Green Connect’. The idea behind the visit is to understand the proposal made by the Port Blair Smart Projects Limited. The inspection team was led by Mr. Kishore Kshirsagar Lakshman, Secretary, PBMC accompanied by Mr. V. Jaya Kumar, Architect PBMC, other technical officials from PBMC, Smart City Consultant and officials of Forest Department.
Under the green connect project, a host of attractions will be developed for visitors like parks, fountains, ponds and recreational facilities for the children which will facilitate physical activity and relaxation, and form a refuge from noise pollution within the city. Green spaces are the “lungs” with which cities breathe and open space with greenery means a healthy environment. People need a place in the city to calm down, to reassure his feelings and senses, and to rest with his beauty that compensates him for the trouble and hardship of his work. Green spaces also reduce health inequalities, improve well-being and reduce stress level.
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, Member of Parliament trekked through the city forest from Joggers Park and reached upto Gandhi Park Lake. While understanding the proposal already prepared, the Member of Parliament suggested the officials highlight the Islands special features like culture, tribal life, specific area earmarked for different types of bamboo, and endemic flowers. The trek path through forest should have few routes with adventurous elements like rugged path way, rope jumping, amateur rock climbing etc. Along the streams at an appropriate place a pond-like structure to be created which could become a swimming spot.
At Gandhi park there should be a small herbal/vegetable juice counter targeting the morning walkers. More focus should be given to develop interesting spots for children as they are the crowd pullers. Facilities like bumper boats on the shores of the pond wherever feasible should be thought of at the point where the stream from forest meets the Gandhi Park small fish ponds with colorful fishes to be created. Another important suggestion made by the Member of Parliament is to have a musical fountain with seating for atleast 150 to 200 persons which will be a great attraction. He also emphasized that any structure like cafe, resting halls, viewing decks should be designed with Nicobari hut style to showcase the visitors.