Manimajra Residents Express Anger Over Neglect of 21-Year-Old Shivalik Garden — Administration Must Resolve Lack of Amenities: Rameshwar Giri and Rajbir Singh Bhartiya

Manimajra Residents Express Anger Over Neglect of 21-Year-Old Shivalik Garden — Administration Must Resolve Lack of Amenities: Rameshwar Giri and Rajbir Singh Bhartiya

​"Spread across nearly 20 acres, Shivalik Garden is the identity of Manimajra, but it desperately awaits proper maintenance and upgraded facilities."

Manimajra 16 June ( Ranjeet Singh Dhaliwal ) : Shivalik Garden in Manimajra was developed approximately 21 years ago on about 20 acres of land. Surinder Singh, who was the Municipal Corporation Mayor and a local councillor at the time, shared that an Open-Air Theatre was part of the original project file and proposal when the garden was inaugurated. It was after his repeated demands and written representations that the local residents received this beautiful park. However, since then, no major developmental work has been undertaken to match the changing needs of the times.

​Social activists Rameshwar Giri and Rajbir Singh Bhartiya stated that Shivalik Garden has become an integral part of the daily lives of thousands of Manimajra residents. Even during the day, around 400 to 500 people can be seen relaxing here, while the turnout reaches thousands during the mornings and evenings. Despite such heavy footfall, the lack of basic amenities in the park is a matter of serious concern. ​They highlighted that the biggest inconvenience is faced by senior citizens regarding restroom facilities. The washrooms in the park are often found locked or closed. Walking from one gate to another to find an open facility is highly troublesome for the elderly. Previous councillors had also submitted written requests to the Municipal Corporation for constructing additional washrooms, but the file has not moved forward. Furthermore, they pointed out that in Manimajra—which has a population of nearly 300,000—there is no dearth of talent among children, youth, and the elderly. Yet, the long-standing demand for an "Open-Air Theatre" for cultural activities remains pending for years. It is deeply unfortunate for the residents of Manimajra that despite such a large population, this facility has not been provided.

​Rameshwar Giri and Rajbir Singh Bhartiya also mentioned that when young children play cricket or other games in the park, their sports equipment is often confiscated by the park staff. It is the administration's responsibility to provide proper playing spaces for children. It is highly regrettable that despite having three councillor wards in Manimajra, there is no large playground for children. The only available ground was utilized as an experiment for the 24x7 Water Pilot Project, which failed. A vigilance probe regarding this project is still pending, and the playground was permanently lost—a massive misfortune for Manimajra residents.

​Key Demands from the Municipal Corporation: ​Cleanliness: Drastically improve the cleanliness and waste management system in the park. ​Waste Management: Ensure regular monitoring of the external dustbins and internal cleanliness. ​Transparency: Install an information board listing the number of employees deployed in the park, their duty timings, and contact numbers. ​Safety: Ensure proper and functional lighting across the entire park for safety. ​Drinking Water: Repair the dysfunctional water cooler immediately, as it currently dispenses hot water. ​Greenery: Ensure proper maintenance to preserve the park's grass and greenery. ​Pending Projects: Speedily execute the 21-year-old pending construction of the Open-Air Theatre and the long-delayed demand for additional washrooms. ​They concluded by emphasizing that Shivalik Garden is not just a park but a shared community space for the people of Manimajra. The administration must urgently intervene, keeping in mind the park's historical identity and the public's needs.