Chennai: The Arignar Anna Park in Royapuram is a mess, with the access road dug up for nearly four months, leaving visitors in the lurch.Known as Robinson Park, this is where former chief minister C Annadurai announced the launch of the DMK party. Its entrance on Cemetery Road has been dug up for stormwater drain work. The pits have turned into sewage pools, serving as a den for mosquitoes.Barricades, too, are missing in some spots, and the pits have precariously protruding rods that can pierce passers-by if they fall down inside by mistake.As the RSRM Hospital is just opposite this facility, relatives of patients used to visit this park to rest or wait. Now, they too struggle to find a waiting space.While the main entrance is blocked because of the drain work, Greater Chennai Corporation has opened a side entrance a few metres away. But people struggle to walk to this spot as there are no pavements, and the two-lane stretch is congested and is crammed with MTC buses, leaving no room for walkers.Youngsters who come to the Robinson sports ground are affected too. R Avinash, a regular visitor to the park, said no workers were seen here in the last month. “They cited elections, but these were works that began before the polls. At least now, the MLA govt must speed it up,” he said.Robinson Park was renovated by the DMK govt with a new arch, fountain, walkway and greenery. The SWD work remains a stuck component.Royapuram MLA Vijay Dhamo was unavailable for comment. A GCC official from the Royapuram zone said the work is being done by the SWD department and that they will instruct the assistant engineer to inspect it. Deputy mayor Mahesh Kumar said the work must be expedited and officials must look into it.
