Port Blair (Sri Vijaya Puram): The condition of Tiranga Park at Aberdeen Bazar, one of the city’s prominent public spaces and a regular venue for public and political gatherings, has come under sharp criticism, with Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Andaman and Nicobar Islands State President Dr Arun Kumar Mallik alleging serious neglect, poor sanitation and unchecked public nuisance at the park. In a complaint submitted to the Secretary of the Sri Vijaya Puram Municipal Council (SVPMC), Dr Mallik raised concerns over the alleged failure to maintain the park and protect it from littering, illegal dumping, stray cattle and anti-social activities, including alleged public consumption of alcohol.
The complaint also names the elected representative of Ward No. 5, municipal officials responsible for the upkeep of the park and officials of Aberdeen Police Station responsible for maintaining law and order in the area. The issue came to light, according to Dr Mallik, when an AAP team visited Tiranga Park on the morning of August 28 to inspect preparations for a public meeting scheduled later that evening.
Mallik alleged that the stage and surrounding premises were found littered with cow dung, broken and empty liquor bottles and garbage, while foul smell and damaged and unusable toilet and urinal facilities added to the poor condition of the venue. Dr Mallik, however, acknowledged that municipal officials cleaned the open space and stage after the matter was brought to their notice.
The AAP leader further alleged that the party’s public meeting was disrupted twice by an allegedly intoxicated individual who entered the venue and created a nuisance while he was addressing the gathering. He claimed that he had to interrupt his speech and ask party workers to contact the police, as no uniformed police personnel were visible at the venue at the time.
While expressing appreciation for the presence of CID personnel during the programme, Dr Mallik questioned the alleged failure to prevent repeated disturbance at an event for which formal permission had been obtained. He said the matter concerning the role of the Aberdeen Police Station would be taken up with senior police authorities.
In his complaint, Dr Mallik demanded stronger peripheral fencing to prevent unauthorised entry and stray cattle from entering the park. He also sought the installation of a water ATM and the construction or restoration of functional, clean sanitation facilities with separate arrangements for men and women.
The AAP State President further demanded the installation of twin waste-segregation bins for biodegradable and recyclable waste under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban framework.
Calling for urgent and sustained action, Dr Mallik urged the SVPMC authorities to personally inspect Tiranga Park and ensure that it is properly maintained for daily visitors, tourists and public gatherings.
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The complaint has once again put the spotlight on the upkeep of one of Sri Vijaya Puram’s key public spaces, raising a larger question: can a park located in the heart of the city—and frequently used for major public gatherings—be allowed to remain vulnerable to poor sanitation, stray animal intrusion and public nuisance?
