Sun Mar 30 13:24:27 UTC 2025: ## Thoothukudi Expands Parks, But Faces Maintenance Concerns

**THOOTHUKUDI, March 30, 2025** – The Thoothukudi Municipal Corporation is expanding its network of parks, with a focus on creating inclusive spaces for women and senior citizens. While the city already boasts several parks, including Roche park, MGR park, and a dedicated senior citizen’s park (Aayiram Pirai park), the initiative aims to address a perceived lack of recreational options beyond beaches. Many of the existing parks were developed under the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT.

The Aayiram Pirai park, specifically designed for the elderly, has been well-received, even hosting weekly counseling sessions with a psychiatrist. However, the initiative is not without criticism. Concerns have been raised regarding the ongoing maintenance of existing parks, particularly during the monsoon season. The recent alteration of the Anthropological park, involving the removal of statues and decorative elements to create a football turf, has drawn sharp rebuke from some residents, including CPI(M) Thoothukudi Town Secretary M.S. Muthu, who called for better planning and monsoon preparedness.

Mayor Jegan Periyasamy addressed these concerns, stating that the removed statues would be reused in other parks and that the Anthropological park’s planetarium would remain operational. He also announced plans for two new women’s parks and the addition of a zip line at Roche park. The corporation maintains that parks are well-maintained, but acknowledges the need to address water stagnation during the monsoon season. The ongoing debate highlights the need to balance the development of new recreational spaces with the effective upkeep of existing ones.

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