Ludhiana: Unchecked wild growth and official neglect have turned a green belt in Bhai Randhir Singh (BRS) Nagar into a safety hazard, leaving sports courts unusable and raising fears of snakes and insects among nearby residents during the ongoing monsoon season.The abandoned stretch, which houses basketball and badminton courts, has become virtually inaccessible due to thick bushes and overgrown grass. Residents alleged that the lack of routine trimming and maintenance by the municipal corporation (MC) has defeated the purpose of creating a community space for fitness and recreation.With monsoon rains accelerating the vegetation’s growth, locals expressed concern that the park has turned into a breeding ground for mosquitoes, insects, and reptiles, posing severe risks to children who attempt to enter the premises to play.A resident Satpal Singh while sharing the video of the green belt mentioned, “The authorities perhaps want to give a feel of Mattewara jungles to the residents living in this side that is why they have left it on the mercy of the god. With the monsoon in full swing, residents fear the overgrown vegetation has become a breeding ground for insects, mosquitoes and even snakes.”“The fear of encountering snakes or other reptiles hidden in the bushes keeps haunting the residents,” said Sonia Uppal, another resident. She stated that since sports courts were constructed in the park, the green belt should be maintained properly so that youngsters and fitness enthusiasts can make full use of the facilities.Residents urged the civic body to undertake immediate clearing work and restore access to the sports courts, adding that they are willing to manage the park themselves if the MC resolves the initial issue.Responding to the allegations, an official from the MC horticulture branch stated that while wild growth is common during the monsoon, maintenance work across all branches was severely affected due to a recent staff strike. The official added that field workers have been instructed to clear the green belt as soon as possible.
