BDA Nicco Park Awaits Renovation: The Sole Amusement Park of Bhubaneswar Misses Out on Hockey Fanfare

BDA Nicco Park Awaits Renovation: The Sole Amusement Park of Bhubaneswar Misses Out on Hockey Fanfare

The much-awaited Men’s Hockey World Cup brought with it sweeping reforms by the state government, BDA and other administrative units, what with the entire Bhubaneswar adorning a new and improved look. Swanky roads, cycle tracks and beautification drives across the capital city are expected to impress visitors and citizens alike. Yet, in the midst of all the revamping, the sole amusement park of the city remains untouched. Despite the Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) announcing renovation on October 12, 2017, Nicco Park languishes in utter neglect.My City Links had visited BDA Nicco Park last year to get a fair assessment of the condition of the park, the rides, the entry fee charged and the provisions for people. The city centre, once a thriving recreational hotspot for kids and adults alike that used to draw hundreds of visitors, had turned into a pale shadow of its own bustling self. The government did come up with a revival plan at the time. However, one visit to the Nicco Park proved that the place continues to suffer amidst administrative inertia.While the once beautiful lake has turned into a large pool of dirty water with nearby residential complexes releasing their waste, most of the rides are in a critical condition and in serious need of repair. It may be recalled that in 2015, three girls were injured after a car in one of the rides (water chute) derailed. After the mishap, the development authority asked officials of BDA City Centre to submit safety reports every quarter after checking the rides in the park.However, today, most of the rides are suffering from maintenance issues and the neglect is starkly visible. While the Water Chute ride was stopped after the accident, rest of the rides are in a pathetic condition.With foul smell emanating from the lake 24 X 7, boating has become a harrowing experience for visitors. Besides, the lake has become a veritable breeding ground for mosquitoes and a menace for locals. Not to mention, the unwanted bushes all around the park have entirely spoiled its beauty. In short, BDA City Centre no longer dons the appearance or the charm of an amusement park.Locals also allege that the authorities are more interested in the community centres, which have been opened within the premises adjacent to the park for organising social gatherings and functions in order to make decent profits. There is also a restaurant named 9th Street within the premises, which has been running successfully.  However, as per BDA, the park is owned and managed by a private party which has raised the entry fee from 25 to 150 over the years. BDA had also alleged that the concerned party was making profits from these establishments without sharing the promised amount with BDA. Although these accusations were also raised by a social outfit, Ama Aadhikar in 2014, no action has been taken so far.BDA Nicco Park had been inaugurated amidst much fanfare 20 years ago on December 12, 1998. A joint venture between Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) and the Nicco Group, the park is located in the heart of the city and boasted of 10 amazing rides and an artificial lake once upon a time. With an entry fee of 25, the park was the first ever amusements centre in the capital and a favourite with the children. People from all across the state thronged to the park in large numbers. Over the past few years, lack of maintenance turned into a matter of concern for BDA Nicco Park. If that wasn’t enough, the Nicco Group pulled out of the venture in 2007 and Sun Tech City Private Limited was chosen as the new partner leading to renaming of the project as BDA City Centre. As per the new agreement, Suntech received 51% share and BDA 49% share in the park.The only adventure park in the city, clearly, did not come under the list of beautification and revivals undertaken in the capital for the Men’s Hockey World Cup. In spite of the hike in ticket price, no improvements have been made in the park. “We paid ?150 per head, which is clearly a waste. Most of the rides are either in a bad condition or dysfunctional. I had come here last year. I expected a few improvements, but nothing has happened. We will never come here again”, said a visitor from Anugul.“The park is in a very unhealthy condition, the foul smell is everywhere. Why should someone come here and spend money to harm his/her own health?” said another visitor from Jajpur.“This property is owned by BDA now. First, the Nicco Group took this land and constructed BDA Nicco Park. Then, some other organisation wanted to take over this property from Nicco. Thus, Nicco was taken out of the project and another company took over. However, this new company has no prior experience in dealing with projects such as amusement parks and rides. Therefore, it has failed to maintain and develop the property. The entry ticket is extremely high priced as compared to the number of rides available. Now, since some of the rides are not working, the management should take adequate steps to attract people. Even as employees who have worked here for the last 17-18 years, we still get paid a meagre salary of 9000. Although we are deployed on a contractual basis, we would want the management to look into the upkeep of the park so that people are happy to visit again,” reveals a senior worker at BDA City Centre.My City Links tried to get a byte from the park in-charge Mahendra Kumar Nanda, but he was not present at the office. The other officials of the park refused to comment. BMC Commissioner and Vice Chairman of BDA, Dr Krishan Kumar, too, did not reply to repeated queries of MCL.