Neglect leaves Rajbagh’s Joggers Park in ruins, visitors demand action

Srinagar, Aug 08: Joggers and fitness enthusiasts in Srinagar’s upscale Rajbagh area have been left disappointed as the locality’s once-popular Joggers Park at Convent Road has fallen into a state of neglect. Inaugurated in 2012 by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the park was once a favourite destination for morning joggers, tennis players and families seeking recreation. However, over the years, it has deteriorated significantly due to a lack of maintenance, leaving visitors frustrated and disheartened.Spread across 4.7 acres, the park once boasted well-maintained jogging tracks, vibrant green lawns and various recreational facilities, including a children’s play area and fitness equipment. Today, however, these amenities have been neglected. Jogging tracks that were once neatly paved are now cracked and overgrown with grass, while outdoor fitness equipment has rusted and broken. The children’s play area, once lively with swings and slides, now stands deserted, with many play structures either missing or damaged.Aqib Zargar, a regular visitor, expressed his frustration, “I can’t believe how quickly the park has deteriorated. A few years ago, this was a beautiful space where everyone gathered. Now, it’s nothing but an eyesore.”Shehriyar Wani, another visitor, added, “The lack of maintenance is evident everywhere you look — cracked pathways, broken benches, destroyed flower beds. It’s sad to see the park like this.”Adding to the park’s decline, waterlogging and garbage accumulation have further marred its appeal. Once known for its cleanliness, the park now has piles of litter scattered across the pathways, making it difficult for visitors to enjoy the space. “Earlier, the park was always clean and well-maintained, but now many areas are filled with trash. Moreover, after it rains, certain parts become waterlogged, leaving behind muddy patches that are difficult to walk across,” said Khurshid Ahmed, a local resident.The situation is further worsened by the growing presence of stray dogs that have overrun the park. Locals claim that the dogs have dug up flower beds and lawns, and their unchecked presence has made the park unsafe. Asim Lone, a regular jogger, shared his concerns, “You can’t even walk here without fearing a dog attack. It’s really dangerous.”“I’ve started avoiding the park in the evenings,” added Junaid Bhat, another frequent visitor. “The stray dogs are becoming increasingly aggressive, and it’s simply unsafe, especially for children and the elderly.” Locals are now urging the authorities to take immediate action to restore the park to its former glory. “It’s a shame that such a beautiful space has been allowed to deteriorate,” said Mujtaba Mir. “We urge the authorities to step in and restore the park before it’s completely ruined.” Responding to these concerns, a senior official from the Floriculture Department, requesting anonymity, acknowledged the issue and assured that the department is actively addressing it. “We have received multiple complaints regarding the park’s deteriorating condition and we have already escalated the matter to higher authorities. A proposal has been submitted, and once it is approved, necessary actions will be taken,” the official stated.Regarding the presence of stray dogs in the park, the official explained, “There is a section of the fence that’s broken, which allows dogs to enter, particularly at night. However, repair work is already underway, and we expect the issue to be resolved soon.”As locals await action, many have abandoned their morning routines or started seeking alternatives outside the locality. They fear that, without intervention, the park may soon become completely unusable. “As much as we loved the park, it’s become impossible to enjoy it anymore. We just want the authorities to step in before it’s too late,” said Faisal Shah, a regular park visitor.