Visakhapatnam: Health arena entry fee irks daily walkers

VISAKHAPATNAM: The VMRDA has decided to introduce a 10 entry fee for its health arena — a dedicated 4km walking and cycling track located at the foothills of Kailasagiri — from Dec 1. There would be no entry fee for children below 12 years.
The facility, which was inaugurated in 2016, is currently being operated without any entry fee or ticketing system. Daily walkers can also buy a monthly pass for 50, while an yearly pass would cost 500.
However, the decision has not gone well with people using the walking facility.Criticising the urban body’s decision, health arena walkers’ association secretary Nagesh Kumar said affordability is not the issue. “But the health benefits that the health arena is currently offering to the community may be curtailed by the entry fee. The VMRDA should consider it as a health centre instead of viewing it as a recreational spot or park. Hundreds of women come there in the evenings with their children and families to get some fresh air. Similarly, there would be some occasional walkers. These may be discouraged by the ticketing system,” he said.