The New Town authorities have decided to open all parks for morning walkers.
The parks in New Town included Eco Park and Eco Urban Village and themed-parks like Professor Shanku Park. They have been shut for the past couple of years because of the Covid pandemic.
Morning walkers will be allowed to enter the parks in a phased manner over the next couple of weeks.
Debashis Sen, chairman of the New Town Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA), told The Telegraph on Wednesday that the decision to open the parks for morning walkers was taken following requests from residents.
“The parks will be kept open in the morning and passes will be issued to those who are interested. Those who already have a morning walkers’ card will have to get it renewed. They can renew it by visiting the NKDA website or at our office,” said Sen.
Morning walkers will be able to visit parks in New Town between 6am and 9am, an NKDA official said.
The New Town authorities are also setting up benches along roads. The first lot has been set along Smart Street, the pedestrian plaza opposite the Fairfield by Marriott hotel.
“There were requests from elderly residents for benches along roads. They told us that they needed a place to rest their knees when out for walks,” said Sen.
The NKDA has got corporate support to set up the benches. Water kiosks are also being set up along the roads.
Sandeep Agarwal, a resident of Action Area I, who used to go for walks in Eco Park, said: “During the pandemic we had to walk along the roads. A walk inside Eco Park is very peaceful.”
