SRINAGAR: At least 95 children’s play and outdoor gym equipment items have been identified as damaged in seven parks in Srinagar, according to the Department of Floriculture, Gardens and Parks.
The department disclosed the details in response to Un-Starred Assembly Question D.No. 1/6/103, tabled by Zadibal MLA Tanvir Sadiq, regarding the repair of swings and slides.
The listed damaged equipment includes slides, swings, sea-saws, merry-go-rounds and various outdoor gym machines at Children’s Park Srinagar, Joggers Park Rajbagh, Sanat Nagar Park, Pologround Park, Gunj Baksh Park, Eidgah Park and Bagh-i-Shagoofa Park.
Children’s Park Srinagar accounts for 19 damaged items, including eight slides, four two-seater sea-saws, one slide tube, two spiral slides and four chain swings.
Joggers Park Rajbagh has seven listed damaged items, including a two-seater sea-saw, merry-go-round, chain swing, air walker, shoulder wheel, sky walker and air walker sit-up rider.
Three items have been listed at Sanat Nagar Park, comprising a chest press gym machine, an air walker and an air walker sit-up rider.
Pologround Park has 31 damaged items, including twisters, sliders, merry-go-rounds, body push-up equipment, monkey climbers, sea-saws, shoulder wheels, iron swings, double leg presses, air walkers and a pedestal seat.
The department has listed 11 damaged items at Gunj Baksh Park, including a play station, slider, air walker, double-seater sea-saws, merry-go-round, triple waist twister, swing sets, shoulder press machine and double chest press machine.
Another 11 items have been identified at Eidgah Park, including outdoor swings, a merry-go-round, horse rider, cross trainer, triple twister, surfboard outdoor gym equipment, shoulder press machine and paddle/push excavator.
Bagh-i-Shagoofa Park has 13 listed damaged items, including swing sets, a slider, spiral playground slide, merry-go-rounds, air walkers, triple waist twister, shoulder wheel and arm wheel.
The department said it conducts periodic assessments of the availability, functionality and safety of children’s play and gym equipment installed in parks and gardens across Srinagar.
It attributed the damage in part to continuous public use, particularly by children, which results in normal wear and tear over time.
The department said inspections are routinely carried out through concerned Executive Engineers in consultation with Floriculture Officers to identify damaged, deficient or non-functional children’s play and open gym equipment.
It also said the department regularly approaches the Roads and Buildings Department’s concerned Chief Engineers and Executive Engineers for periodic inspections of recreational equipment. The inspections are intended to facilitate preparation of technical estimates and budgetary provisions for repair, upkeep or replacement, subject to availability of funds.
As part of recent measures, the department said sand cushioning had been provided for children’s play equipment at Pologround Park at a cost of Rs 0.60 lakh. It added that children’s play equipment with proper cushioning was being installed at Harwan Parks.
The department said repair, replacement and upgradation works are considered on the basis of inspections and detailed estimates provided by the R&B Department, subject to availability of funds.
