Wary of V-day, Vellore park to stay closed

VELLORE: Lilting instrumental songs play on mobile phones as hot pakodas and appalams are passed around —this is a usual scene witnessed at Periyar Park, a popular rendezvous for young courting couples. However, on February 14, celebrated widely as Valentine’s Day and a day for lovers, the park will be empty. It has been announced that the park will remain closed during the day but will be opened only between 6 pm and 9 pm on Tuesday. P Deva Kalap Maran, one of the partners of Kalap Ads, a company contracted to maintain the park, says, “The park attracts about 2,000 walkers and joggers on Saturdays and Sundays. Very few of these patrons come on weekdays. More than half of the visitors are courting couples.”“I would be extra cautious on Tuesday, however, to avoid any untoward incident at the venue,” he adds. “Eve teasing and group clashes sometimes occur that day. February 14 is not considered a day for couples anymore. It is seen more as a day for the youth.”Periyar Park, situated along the southern zone of Vellore Fort, is spread over 10 acres; its land is owned by the Archaeology Survery of India. Its location in the heart of the city has made it dear to Vellorians and tourists alike. The park has a children’s train, nursery and a section for animals. It was once jointly maintained by the railway, forest and horticulture departments, and cleaning was done by the municipality under the supervision of the district administration. This made it a case of too many cook spoil the broth and the park was left untended for years. Eventually, the district administration via Tamil Nadu Tourism Fund and Vellore Tourism Development and Promotion Society spent `80 lakh to restore the park, said Maran. Even after this, the park was not maintained and it became a place for anti-social activities, he said. An open tender was finally put up for the venue and private companies were asked to take it over as a self-sustained project.Kalap Ads took over maintanance of the park in 2010. We had to take many steps to increase security at the park and make it fit for families and the general public, says Maran, adding that plans are on to add an aquarium, a section for walking pet animals, and so on. The park even holds skating classes and light music shows now and then.“I don’t want to lose the good reputation that the park has gained. This could happen if even one incident occurs on February 14,” is his final word.