Dirty water, safety issues plague May Day park

Chennai: Just a day after Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) declared all parks reopened following Cyclone Fengal, stagnant polluted water remains at May Day Park near Chintadripet MRTS Railway Station, posing health risks to visitors.Spanning across 14 acres, the park is a key recreational space for Chintadripet residents, attracting morning walkers and children. However, play equipment such as swings and seesaws remain submerged, turning the park into a breeding ground for mosquitoes."The stagnant water has lingered for over a week. It stinks, making the park unusable for activities like reading or chatting," said Valarmathi M, a college student from Laffond Street. This recurring issue during monsoons frustrated regular visitors.GCC Zone 5 chairman P Sriramulu said fallen trees and debris from the cyclone were cleared and promised that the water would be drained soon. Meanwhile, a 10 crore playground project by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), intended to include indoor badminton courts, a skating rink, a boxing ring, and netball courts, remains stalled, with water-filled pits adding to the problem.Mohan Kumar R, a Chintadripet resident questioned safety inside the park and said "People jump over the compound wall after midnight to celebrate birthdays, causing disturbances."