In a first in A.P., Vizag to house anti-drug park and glow garden

Visakhapatnam to have unique theme parks - anti-drug park and glow garden, first of their kind in Andhra Pradesh.

If everything goes according to the plans of Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA), Visakhapatnam will have two theme parks — an anti-drug park and a glow garden. These would be the firsts of their kind in the State, according to officials.

Currently, there is a glow garden in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, where attractions such as carvings of animals, trees and cartoons. are illuminated at night.

The VMRDA has invited tenders to develop the parks on a two-acre area at an estimated cost of ₹3.5 crore. Explaining the concept and theme of the project to The Hindu on Monday (June 2), VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan said: “We have invited tenders, which will be opened in the next 15 days. Work is likely to begin by the end of this month. The anti-drug park is the first of its kind in Andhra Pradesh. We have allotted two acres of land inside the central park.”

Mr. Viswanathan added that the anti-drug park is specifically focussed on youth addicted to drugs. VMRDA will collaborate with NGOs that are involved in spreading awareness among the youth and taking steps to cure them. The NGOs will set up stalls with their team inside the park, he added.

“We will finalise the suitable NGOs once the park is ready. Right now, we are focusing on the development of the park. A labyrinth will also be included in this park, which is popular in many cities,” he said.

A labyrinth is a complex set of paths and routes through which it is difficult to find a way. There are notable labyrinth parks, the most famous of which is Bara Imambara in Lucknow. There is also a labyrinth in Mughal Garden.

“Labyrinths have been used for centuries as tools for meditation and prayer. Walking through a labyrinth is a peaceful and reflective experience. They are used for healing, stress relief and spiritual exploration. Walking through a labyrinth gives one a chance to get away from daily life and connect with one’s inner self. So, we will place the labyrinth in the anti-drug park,” said another VMRDA official.