Visakhapatnam: The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) has denied reports claiming that it collects a high tax from walkers in its parks. The civic body clarified that no such fee is being charged in any park across the city.
GVMC Clarifies No Walking Fee
GVMC officials stated that around 180 parks are maintained either directly by the corporation or in coordination with resident welfare associations, and no walking fee is collected anywhere. Commissioner Ketan Garg called the reports false and misleading.
Investment in Parks and Stadiums
Keeping public health and recreation in mind, GVMC has developed 45 parks in the last two years for Rs 35 crore. Several playgrounds and stadiums have been modernized with Rs 30 crore to improve facilities. The Swarna Bharathi Indoor Stadium was recently developed with Rs 18 crore and is managed directly by GVMC without any private agency. The Rajiv Sports Complex in Gajuwaka and the Indira Priyadarshini Stadium have been developed with Rs 10 crore each, with regular monthly maintenance funds.
Commissioner Garg added, "Even in parks maintained by resident welfare associations, no walking fee is being collected. I urge people not to believe such propaganda and to note that no fees are being collected in GVMC parks."
