Hubballi's Mahatma Gandhi Park Faces Severe Neglect Despite Smart City Investment
Defacement and neglect continue to plague Mahatma Gandhi Park in Hubballi, raising serious concerns over the maintenance of one of Hubballi-Dharwad's key public spaces. The park, which underwent a major transformation under the Smart City Mission, is now showing signs of rapid deterioration due to inadequate supervision and accountability.
Vandalism and Damage Worsen Park Conditions
The toy train, previously vandalized by miscreants, remains non-operational, reflecting the continued negligence of the Hubballi-Dharwad Municipal Corporation (HDMC). Other park assets have also suffered significantly. Pergolas and sculptures have been extensively defaced, several structures are damaged, and some installations have reportedly disappeared altogether.
Among the most affected structures are the pergolas - outdoor garden features designed to create shaded seating areas. Typically built with vertical posts supporting crossbeams and an open lattice, these pergolas serve both functional and aesthetic purposes in landscaped public spaces. Their damage not only diminishes the visual appeal of Mahatma Gandhi Park but also reduces comfort and usability for visitors seeking shaded areas.
Smart City Investment at Risk of Being Undone
Mahatma Gandhi Park was redeveloped under the Smart City Mission at a substantial cost of Rs 12.5 crore, excluding major attractions such as the toy train, puzzle parking, and musical fountain. The ambitious project transformed the park into a modern recreational space between 2019 and 2021, representing significant public investment in urban infrastructure.
However, the current state of the park suggests that the gains made during redevelopment are rapidly being undone. The premises appear to be slipping back toward the poor condition that existed before the project was initiated, raising questions about the sustainability of Smart City initiatives.
Maintenance Handover and Subsequent Failures
In 2024, the Hubballi-Dharwad Smart City Limited formally handed over Mahatma Gandhi Park to HDMC, along with approximately Rs 39 lakh designated for remaining operations and maintenance expenses. Following this transfer, HDMC floated a tender and entrusted maintenance work to local contractors through an outsourcing arrangement.
Since the outsourcing began, there has been little effective supervision by municipal officials. The lack of monitoring and accountability has allowed vandalism, damage, and general deterioration to continue unchecked throughout the park grounds.
Citizen Outrage and Official Response
The deteriorating condition of Mahatma Gandhi Park has triggered significant disappointment among Hubballi citizens, particularly considering the substantial public investment made under the Smart City Mission.
Ramakrishna Patil, a regular morning walker at the park, expressed concern that without proper maintenance, MG Park risks losing its value as both a civic and recreational landmark. He emphasized that continued neglect of public property sends a poor message about how urban infrastructure created with taxpayers' money is being managed.
Rudresh Ghali, Commissioner of HDMC, acknowledged the maintenance issues, stating that responsibility for maintaining Mahatma Gandhi Park was outsourced through a tender with the intention of upgrading quality and ensuring proper upkeep. The agency was paid Rs 11 lakh annually for this service, but the civic body received numerous complaints about poor maintenance performance.
"Soon, a decision will be taken on suspending the outsourced agency and HDMC taking over managing and maintaining the MG Park," Commissioner Ghali stated, indicating potential changes in the maintenance approach for the troubled public space.
The situation at Mahatma Gandhi Park highlights broader challenges in maintaining public infrastructure following major redevelopment projects, particularly when responsibility transitions between agencies and outsourcing arrangements fail to deliver expected results.
