Mon Jun 02 18:34:43 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article based on the provided text:
**Visakhapatnam to Get State’s First Anti-Drug Park and Glow Garden**
**Visakhapatnam, India – June 3, 2025** – Visakhapatnam is set to become a unique attraction in Andhra Pradesh with the development of two new theme parks: an anti-drug park and a glow garden. The Visakhapatnam Metropolitan Region Development Authority (VMRDA) has announced the ambitious project, inviting tenders for the development of the parks on a two-acre site within Central Park.
The project, estimated to cost ₹3.5 crore, aims to offer residents and visitors a novel recreational and educational experience. According to VMRDA Metropolitan Commissioner K.S. Viswanathan, the anti-drug park will be the first of its kind in the state. “We have allotted two acres of land inside the central park”, he told The Hindu, adding that the park will specifically target youth struggling with drug addiction.
The VMRDA plans to collaborate with NGOs involved in drug awareness and rehabilitation, providing them with stalls within the park to offer support and guidance. A key feature of the anti-drug park will be a labyrinth, intended to provide a space for meditation, reflection, and stress relief. Officials hope the labyrinth will offer a chance for visitors to connect with their inner selves and find a sense of calm, aiding in their journey to recovery.
The glow garden, inspired by similar attractions in cities like Ahmedabad, will feature illuminated sculptures of animals, trees, and cartoons, creating a visually stunning experience for visitors at night.
Tenders for the project will be opened within the next 15 days, with work expected to commence by the end of June. The VMRDA anticipates that these parks will become popular destinations, contributing to the city’s appeal and promoting both recreation and social well-being.
First Piper 