Leisure Valley in Sector 10, Chandigarh, once hailed as the 'Lungs of the City Beautiful' by architect Le Corbusier, has fallen into severe neglect, with broken walking tracks, poor maintenance, and a lack of basic amenities. A recent visit revealed cracked jogging paths, waterlogging after rain, insanitation, and damaged infrastructure.
Visitors decry poor upkeep
Regular visitors have voiced strong dissatisfaction. Rajiv, a Sector 10 resident who visits daily, said maintenance is far below expectations. Another regular, Ashok Bansal, noted the absence of drinking water facilities, forcing walkers to carry their own bottles. The N-choe drain passing through the valley is choked with plastic waste, polythene, and torn clothes, emitting a foul smell that creates a nuisance.
Damaged amenities and safety issues
Several benches and fitness equipment are either broken or not permanently fixed, making them prone to displacement. The park lacks proper signboards in Hindi, Punjabi, and English. Broken fencing and a damaged bridge further compound the deterioration. Bansal urged the addition of more flowering plants and demanded a cafeteria, extra seating, and better-maintained entry gates.
Staff shortage hampers maintenance
The park suffers from a shortage of maintenance staff. Only two gardeners are regularly posted, with workers from other gardens deployed only when grass cutting, sanitation, or other work is required. This has exacerbated the decline of the green space.
Rs 2.34-crore revamp approved
Mayor Saurabh Joshi announced that the Municipal Corporation House had approved a Rs 2.34-crore project for a comprehensive overhaul of Leisure Valley during its last meeting. The project aims to make the park disabled-friendly and more visitor-friendly, including new children's play zones, additional benches, toilets, and huts. The model is expected to be replicated in other city parks.
Chief Engineer Sanjay Arora said work on the revamp would be expedited. On the staff shortage, he stated the issue would be examined and staff rationalisation carried out.
Local councillor and government plans
Local councillor Mahesh Inder Singh Sidhu said residents have long demanded improved facilities. Children's play equipment, walking tracks, bridges, and plantation will be upgraded to transform the park into a much-improved recreational space.
Home Secretary-cum-Local Government Secretary Mandip Singh Brar said the Chandigarh College of Architecture has prepared a comprehensive design proposal incorporating facilities for fitness, yoga, wellness, and mind-body healing while preserving the original fitness trails and equipment. Brar noted the proposal aligns with the Master Plan vision of Leisure Valley as the 'Lungs of the City Beautiful', as conceived by Le Corbusier. Dedicated yoga and exercise facilities, along with a cafeteria, will be developed with emphasis on accessibility, cleanliness, and promoting healthy lifestyles.
