Tue Sep 23 14:47:31 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and rewritten news article based on the provided text:

**Summary:**

Residents of Rameswaram are calling on the district administration to restore the Olaikuda children’s park near Sangumal beach, which has fallen into disrepair due to a lack of maintenance. The park, initially established to attract tourists, was once maintained by the local consumer’s forum and then local administration, but funding issues and administrative changes led to its decline. Locals recall the area’s history as a site for processing conch shells and lament the park’s current state, which they fear has made it a haven for anti-social behavior. Suggestions for restoration include allocating sufficient funds, replacing obsolete equipment, or partnering with an NGO for maintenance. Municipality officials say they will act once funds are secured.

**News Article:**

**Rameswaram Residents Plead for Restoration of Neglected Children’s Park**

**RAMESWARAM, September 23, 2025** – Residents of Rameswaram are urging the district administration to intervene and revitalize the Olaikuda children’s park, a once-popular recreational space located near Sangumal beach. The park, established in the early 2000s on land formerly occupied by fishermen’s dwellings, has suffered from years of neglect, leaving it in a state of disrepair.

“It’s heartbreaking to see how far this park has fallen,” said N. Jeyakanthan, a local resident. He recalled that the park’s initial proposal faced opposition, but authorities proceeded with the project intending to attract tourists visiting the Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple and Agnitheertham.

Thillai Bakiam, another resident, reminisced about the area’s historical significance as a site for processing conch shells. “The fishermen used to contribute to the park’s upkeep by planting and watering saplings,” she stated.

Over time, maintenance responsibility shifted to local administration, but funding shortages and frequent personnel changes led to its decline. C.R. Senthilvel of the Tamil Nadu AITUC Fishermen Workers Union, emphasized the need for substantial funding and maintenance work to reclaim the space. “The equipment is obsolete and needs replacing. Alternatively, partnering with an NGO could be a viable solution,” he suggested. Concerns are also rising that the neglected park has become a magnet for unwanted activities.

Rameswaram municipality officials have assured the public that maintenance work will commence as soon as funds are allocated. The local community hopes that swift action will be taken to restore the park to its former glory, providing a safe and enjoyable space for children once again.

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