CSA Park opens gates to welcome city after 73 days

Prayagraj: Scores of morning walkers were back to get their regular dose of exercise as Chandra Shekhar Azad Park reopened on Friday after being shut for 73 days due to the lockdown.

The park timings have been changed in view of the novel coronavirus pandemic. The park will now be open for visitors from 5am to 8 am and from 5pm to 8pm.

The light rainfall which the city received marred residents’ plans to visit the park in the morning. However, over 90 people did manage to visit the park.

While many were seen walking in the tracks, others were enjoying a yoga session on the lush premises. Park authorities said they were hopping for a higher turnout in the evening.

“As we knew that the park would open from June 5, my entire family was ready for the day. However, we had to cancel our plans due to the rain. But we would be going to the park Sunday onwards, come what may,” said Sachin, a morning walker who used to visit the park daily before the lockdown. “Fifty visitors entered the park from gate number one, while 20 entered from gate number three and five,” said the park’s garden superintendent Seema Singh Rana. The entire park was sanitised and every visitor had to undergo a thermal scan before being allowed inside.

The park authorities had decorated the premises to welcome visitors. Appeals for visitors to follow social distancing while exercising and wearing masks were regularly made via the sound system.

The guard at the main gate Abhimanyu Shukla said, “We have made all arrangements and are letting visitors enter only after ensuring that they are wearing the masks and making them undergo a thermal scan.”

President of Morning Walkers’ Association Kishore Varshney said, “It is important that we maintain our health and visiting the park for exercise is vital for that, which is why we are thankful to the administration for reopening the park.”


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