Vijayawada: The Krishnamma Jala Vihar, popularly known as Vijayawada Riverfront Park, developed along the Krishna River flood protection wall near Kanaka Durga Varadhi, has been off-limits to citizens for nearly six months as authorities are yet to complete repair work on the damage caused by the record-breaking flood in the Krishna River last Sept.
The recreational park, developed at a cost of Rs 12.40 crore, features 1.5-km walking track, open gym equipment, and a children’s play area. It was inaugurated last March by the previous govt but was closed to the public just five months after opening.
While the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation (VMC) initiated repair works inside the park, uncertainty looms over the completion date and the park’s reopening.
“The park served as a go-to spot for all walkers, featuring a beautifully developed 1.5-km walking track adjacent to the Krishna River. Not just young people, but even the elderly in our families used to visit daily to escape the city’s hustle and bustle. Since the park has been closed to the public since last September, we are forced to walk along the NH-16 service road near Krishna Lanka,” said K Ramaniah, a resident of Ranigarithota.
Another resident, Emmanuel, said, “When open, the park attracted thousands of visitors daily, and on weekends, it was packed with people from various parts of the city. As a result, shops and other commercial establishments in the vicinity thrived.”
When contacted, VMC chief engineer R Sreenath Reddy said, “The civic body has taken up repair works inside the park at a cost of Rs 48 lakh. The work is currently in progress and is expected to be completed in another two months. Once repairs are completed, the park will be reopened to the public.”
