kolkata

IIE DIGITAL DESK ; Kolkata, August 6: The natural beauty and greenery of Elliott Park in Kolkata’s Maidan area have once again been opened to the public, bringing a fresh change to one of the city’s prominent green spaces. The Kolkata Municipal Corporation has removed the high tin barricades that had for years blocked the view of the park from the Chowringhee Road side.

Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Thursday shared photographs on X showing the appearance of Elliott Park before and after the removal of the barricades. Welcoming the development, the Chief Minister said that the park’s natural beauty, lush greenery and scenic surroundings had remained hidden from public view for a long period because of the tall tin fencing erected along the Chowringhee Road side.

The Chief Minister, the fencing had prevented ordinary citizens from getting a clear view of the park and its greenery. He alleged that the arrangement had been made during the previous government so that the general public would not be able to see the then Chief Minister while she was walking inside the park.

The removal of the fencing has now opened up the view of Elliott Park once again, allowing pedestrians and visitors to enjoy its greenery and natural surroundings from the road. The development has been presented as an effort to restore public access to the visual beauty of an important green space in the heart of Kolkata.

Sharing the before-and-after photographs, Adhikari expressed satisfaction over the reopening of the park’s natural landscape to the public. He said that the greenery and pleasant environment of Elliott Park were once again available for everyone to see and enjoy.

The Chief Minister also thanked the Kolkata Municipal Corporation for removing the tin barricades and restoring the park’s scenic view for ordinary citizens. He described the park and its natural surroundings as a public asset and stressed that resources belonging to the people should remain accessible to the people.

The development has attracted attention because Elliott Park is located in the central Maidan area, surrounded by some of Kolkata’s busiest roads and important landmarks. The removal of the large metal barriers is expected to make the area appear more open and welcoming to residents, commuters and visitors.

For years, the high fencing had largely concealed the greenery inside the park from people travelling along Chowringhee Road. With the barricades now removed, the natural landscape has become visible again, changing the appearance of the stretch and restoring a sense of openness to the area.

The Chief Minister’s comments also gave the development a political dimension, as he directly referred to the previous administration while explaining why the fencing had allegedly been installed. His remarks are likely to trigger further political discussion over the use and accessibility of public spaces in Kolkata.

The Kolkata Municipal Corporation’s decision has nevertheless been welcomed as a step towards making the city’s public spaces more accessible and visually open. The removal of the fencing means that citizens can once again appreciate the greenery of Elliott Park rather than seeing it hidden behind a long stretch of tin barricades.

Emphasising the principle of public ownership, Adhikari said that public resources should remain open for public enjoyment. The reopening of the view of Elliott Park has therefore been portrayed not merely as the removal of a physical barrier but also as the restoration of public access to a prominent piece of Kolkata’s urban greenery.

The city continues to face pressure from rapid urbanisation and increasing traffic, the reopening of green spaces and ensuring their visibility and accessibility have become increasingly important. Elliott Park’s newly opened frontage now offers residents and visitors an opportunity to once again experience its natural beauty from one of Kolkata’s busiest thoroughfares.