Nagpur: At last Kasturchand Park ground is going to get a face lift after a lot of requests and memoranda. The neglected places has finally attracted the attention of some good cittizens who have come forward to give a complete make over. The sub-committee of the Heritage Conservation, on Kasturchand Park ground has picked up features from the best designs received and drawing with features has been approved. Kasturchand Park (KP) ground, one of the Orange City’s landmarks, is all set to be transformed into a ‘green garland with a pendant’.
Informing about the features and greenery incorporated into the design for upgradation of KP ground Ashok Mokha, renowned architest who headed the sub committee on KP design said it will become a green land he centralk heritage structiurte will get a new look with fountain and beautiful surroundings. It will appear like the pendant in the green garland. The sub committee has recommended to start restoring the all heritage structures in their original form and glory on top priority.
The sub committee held a meeting at the office of renowned architect Ashok Mokha, and experts from diverse fields including Vikash Khurana, a leading theatre guru and founder of Stagecraft Theatre; Chitkala Zutshi, former Chairperson of Heritage Conservation Committee and retired IAS officer; Paramjit Singh Ahuja, Chairman, Indian Institute of Architects, Nagpur Chapter; Dr Tapan Chakrabarti, former Director of National Environmental Engineering Research Institute; and Amit P, an urban planner and architect contributed to the thought-process. The sub -committee had evaluated the joint winning design proposals of IDEAS and Smt Manoramabai Mundle College of Architecture (SMMCA) shortlisted the features to be incorporated for approval by Heritage Conservation Committee.
There will be a one km long walking/jogging and cycle track all along the boundary of the KP ground, as per the the features shortlisted from the joint winning designs by IDEAS and SMMCA, and drawing approved by the sub-committee. The track will be divided into two — a walking/jogging track and a cycle track. To avoid collision the cyclists and walkers/joggers are expected to move in opposite direction. As approved by the High Court there will be a high flag post at a location behind the existing statue of Sir Kasturchand Daga. Among the features there will also be a paved plaza and surround walk-way for heritage structures.
In the approved drawing the other features incorporated are compound wall repairs MS/CI railing to increase height, new gates and modification of existing gates, plantation on periphery on both sides of the track, shrubs between track and compound wall, track lights and illumination of structures, toilets/utility block on north and south side each (for men and women both), rainwater harvesting facility, storm water drain, plumbing, signage(s), fountain, parking spaces, benches, children’s play area etc.
A station of Nagpur Metro train alsong LIC square to Samvidhan Square side of KP ground has been proposed by Nagpur Metro Rail Corporation. NMRCL will install a LED screen which will display awareness messages and this can be seen from KP ground. The screen will also be used to telecast IPL matches and this will add a new value to city’s culture, informed Ashok Mokha.
