Hyderabad: Walkers’ paradise KBR Park needs more eyes

HYDERABAD: Still a favourite with walkers and runners living around it, the recent string of incidents at the Kasu Brahmananda Reddy National (KBR) Park has left park regulars a little rattled.
Terming the cases of harassment against women “unfortunate”, they said it is time authorities strengthened security systems around the green zone to ensure KBR doesn’t lose its patrons.Their grouses: Defunct CCTV cameras, lack of lighting and insufficient patrolling. And these must be fixed especially along the stretches away from the main gate — where women are primarily targeted — they said.

“In the area where I was attacked, there are no lights even now. What’s the point of having such a beautiful park in the heart of the city if it is not safe for women to go there?” said Tollywood actor, Shalu Chourasiya who was robbed and assaulted on the KBR Park walkway in November 2021. While she hasn’t discontinued her trips to the park since then, Chourasiya is more alert now.
“I started going back to the park on and off for walks from December, but have been avoiding going to the place where I was attacked. I used to like that place as it is full of greenery, calm as is a little isolated,” she said reiterating the need for better monitoring around the park. “What’s the point of having CCTV cameras as show pieces?” said a family member of a woman who had been touched inappropriately, while on her morning walk. The family member said that the incident happened right in front of a CCTV camera. Incidentally, the CCTV wasn’t working.
Though many other walkers TOI spoke to agreed with the need for better visibility around the national park, they maintained that safety has not been an issue so far. Apart from police being deployed near the park during morning hours, there is also an emergency kiosk to help people, they pointed out.
“I have been going for my walks to KBR park for the last 20 years, but neither I nor anyone in my circle has faced any such issues,” said Am- mulu Katragadda, vice-president of a steel distribution firm adding that she mostly goes for walks in a group. “For me, it’s a safe place. I know every nook and corner of the park,” she added.