Himalaya Harbinger, Rudrapur Bureau.
Rudrapur’s only green lung, the iconic Gandhi Park, is facing an uncertain future as authorities mull over plans to construct an underground parking facility in the park’s premises. Spread across four acres in the heart of Udham Singh Nagar district headquarters, Gandhi Park has been the beating heart of the community for over seven decades, serving as a sanctuary for children, morning walkers, and a venue for various social and religious activities such as social and industrial fairs, Dussehra, and Holika Dahan celebrations.
For years, the park was marred by encroachment, with roadside eateries sprouting along its periphery, leading to traffic congestion and the assembly of unsocial elements. However, a decisive move by the district administration saw these encroachments cleared, relocating the vendors to nearby Ambedkar Park. While this step was initially welcomed by residents, the subsequent proposal to construct an underground parking facility within the park has met with widespread opposition. The controversy sparked and the anger surfaced when four days back a team of engineers collected soil samples from Gandhi Park to ascertain its strength to hold a parking lot and a multi-storey building.
The local community is vehemently opposed to the plan, fearing it could lead to further commercialization and the eventual erasure of the park’s identity. “Gandhi Park is not just a piece of land; it is our heritage,” says Sunil Kumar, a 65-year-old resident. “They might start with a parking lot, but who knows what comes next—a shopping complex? It will be the end of this beautiful green space that we and our children cherish.”
Residents demand a facelift for the park, but without altering its character. “We need better maintenance, more greenery, and safer spaces for children and the elderly, not concrete jungles,” said Vijay Ahuja, president of the Rudrapur Rising foundation and an environmentalist. . “Turning it into a parking lot will kill the essence of what Gandhi Park stands for—peace, nature, and community bonding.”
Rajesh Mehta, a small business owner, echoes this sentiment. “Rudrapur lacks public spaces where people can connect with nature. Gandhi Park is the only place where my children can play freely. Why should we lose this green haven to accommodate more vehicles? We need spaces for people, not cars.”
Adding to the voices of protest, former Rudrapur MLA Rajkumar Thukral and the City Traders Association have warned of a large-scale movement if the district administration proceeds with the parking project. “Gandhi Park is the heart of the city,” said Thukral. “We urge the newly appointed Vice President of the Development Authority, Jaikishan, Secretary Pankaj Upadhyay, and District Magistrate Udayraj Singh not to tamper with it.” Thukral also highlighted concerns over potential encroachments on other green spaces in the city, including the irrigation and government garden farms. The Traders Association President, Sanjay Juneja, announced plans to form a “people’s committee” to resist any actions that could harm Gandhi Park.
On the other hand, local legislator Shiv Arora has called for calm, stating that the proposed development will balance the needs for public space and parking. “Fairs and other social, political, and religious programs will be held in 60 percent of Gandhi Park’s area,” Arora said. “A park equipped with modern facilities—swings, landscaping, huts, and a mini auditorium—is proposed for the remaining 40 percent. If soil testing and technical assessments by the Drinking Water Corporation and other agencies confirm safety, only then will an underground parking facility be built.”
As the debate intensifies, the fate of Gandhi Park hangs in the balance. The people of Rudrapur have made it clear—they want their park preserved, not paved.
