Once a premier park of the city, Chattar Singh Park in Model Town is in an utter state of neglect.

Now a popular spot for beggars, rag pickers and stray dogs, empty liquor bottles and other drugs dot the park. Seldom do some union leaders hold their meetings to voice their opinions.

Built in the memory of 3rd Punjab Batallion cadet Chattar Singh Dhadhli, who died on January 2, 1954, while voluntarily working for the Ludhiana-Dhuri rail link, the park is a living example of official apathy. Though every year, his death anniversary is observed on January 2, only a handful of people know about the man.

The eldest of seven children of farmer Surjit Singh from Malh Majra village in Samrala, Chattar Singh is an alumnus of Arya College in the city. Oblivious about the park’s past and Chattar Singh, authorities as well as residents have only made the condition of the park more miserable. A virtual garbage dump, the park clamours for green cover. The fountains, which were once the park’s glory, are lying non-functional since ages.

A popular spot for morning walkers till a few years ago, the square has no takers now.

“As the park is frequented by anti-social elements, everyone prefers to take a stroll in some other place,” says GS Kohli, who lives in the neighbourhood.

S S Channa, president of the Federation of Park Management Committees, an umbrella organisation of the Park Management Committees formed for the upkeep of parks and green belts in the city, says, “Once this park was a leading park of the city and people from all nooks and corners used to visit it.”

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