Mon Jan 20 13:32:32 UTC 2025: ## Madurai Park Remains Closed Despite Completion in 2017
**Madurai, January 20, 2025** – A park built in Kutladampatti, Madurai district, in 2017 remains unopened to the public, despite residents’ pleas and a ₹20 lakh investment. The facility, including a gym and overhead water tank, was constructed to address the lack of recreational space for children and young adults in the Samathuvapuram area.
While the park was initially meant to be a recreational space for the community, it has remained closed due to a combination of factors including the COVID-19 lockdown, changes in government, and a lack of funds for necessary repairs. Although the overhead water tank, built under the Jal Jeevan Mission, is accessible, the rest of the park remains unusable. Residents report vandalism and theft of gym equipment.
A. Kalimuthu, a local resident, expressed concern that the lack of recreational facilities is leading young people to excessive mobile phone use. He believes the park would provide a much-needed alternative. Kathiravan, a former Panchayat vice-president, attributed the closure to a failure to establish a local committee to maintain the park due to insufficient resources and manpower. Authorities cite the need for repairs and funding allocation as reasons for the continued closure. The situation highlights the challenges faced in providing and maintaining public amenities in rural areas.
First Piper 