GHMC to set up 38 open gyms in different parks

Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is setting up 38 more open gyms in different parks in the city in addition to the six similar facilities that were set up early this year.

Efforts are being made to make these 38 open gyms operational in the next couple of months. Taking a cue from New Delhi, the GHMC has last year set up six open gyms in the city parks at an estimated cost of Rs 65 lakh.

Ever since these facilities became operational, there has been heavy demand not only from citizens but also from corporators and elected public representatives to set up similar facilities in their respective areas.

The 38 new gym facilities are to be set up at a cost of Rs 2.80 crore and a special committee has been constituted to monitor the tender process, identify the bidders and installation of the equipment.

The municipal corporation has already invited private agencies for supplying the required paraphernalia and setting up the gyms. However, learning lessons from the past, the municipal corporation is entrusting the operations and maintenance of the gym and the equipment to the successful bidders.

Under a pilot project, the GHMC had established open gyms at AS Rao Nagar Park, Imlibun Park, Krishnakanth Park, Indira Park, Gulmohar Park (Serilingampally) and Nehru Nagar Park (West



Marredpally).

However, taking advantage of poor monitoring, miscreants have been having a field day at some of the open gyms and there have been instances of equipment being stolen or damaged due to lack of sufficient security.

At the AS Rao and Gulmohar Parks where local colony associations are actively participating in the maintenance of the gyms, the equipment has been in a good shape. But at Indira Park and Krishna Kanth parks, keeping a watch is proving to be a task, said a senior official from GHMC.

Miscreants were found to be cutting the equipment using hacksaw blades and taking away some of the components. In few other cases, three to five persons were found to be using the equipment simultaneously and loading it beyond capacity and damaging them in the process, he said.

Considering all these aspects, the senior authorities this time are making it mandatory for the selected agencies to operate and maintain the gyms for five years. In case of any damage or theft of any equipment, they will have to replace them with brand new ones, he informed.

Depending on the size and availability of open space in the parks, different gym equipment will be installed. In all, 617 items, including leg stretch, shoulder fly, rower, leg curt, button chest pull etc are being procured, he added.