The Times of India        02.03.2013

NMC clears traffic park for kids

NASHIK: The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC) has approved a traffic park to acquaint children with traffic norms.

NGO Nashik First will construct the park. It will also raise Rs 1.5 crore needed for the project, which will be ready in two years.

The NMC had conceptualized the traffic park, a first-of-its-kind initiative with all the elements of city roads. It has allotted a four-acre plot behind Suyog Hospital on Mahamarg Bus Stand Road for the project. City architect Apeksha Kute has prepared a plan for the park.

"The NMC approved the project after we showed them a detailed design. The civic standing committee has also approved it," said Pramod Lad, in charge of the
traffic committee at Nashik First. Lad said the funds would be raised through donations.

The park will have smaller version of the roads in the city. "It will have a hall with a mini-museum of traffic-related articles. Children will get to ride small automobiles with pedals. The park will have two-, four-, six- and eight-lane roads with bus stops, railway stations, an over bridge and a petrol pump, among other things. One instructor each from Nashik First and the traffic police department will be at the park."

Lad said the NGO aimed to inculcate better traffic sense among the next generation.

Municipal commissioner Sanjay Khandare said that a civic committee headed by him will monitor the work of the NGO. "This is a very good concept; only Mumbai has this kind of a park," Khandare said.

He said the plot was given to the traffic department to develop around four years ago, but the department did not use it.

When Nashik First approached the NMC, it was told to prepare a plan."We received the final plan a couple of days ago," he said.

Khandare said the proposal was put before the standing committee, which approved it. "We followed it up with the police department, organized meetings with them
and discussed entrusting the
NGO with the task. We also made a provision for them to raise the capital for infrastructure and construction," he said.

"I am following it up with the standing committee to release a copy of the resolution for final approval. The NGO has been asked to start the execution of the project," said Khandare.