Agartala, 15th September 2026 : A park developed in the Battala area of Agartala under the Smart City project at a cost of crores of rupees is now facing questions over cleanliness, waste management and security.
The park was developed with the objective of providing residents with a clean, attractive and safe public space. However, locals allege that the condition of the park and its surrounding areas has deteriorated in recent times.
According to residents, after evening, groups allegedly gather inside the park for substance use. Empty liquor bottles and garbage are reportedly scattered at several places inside the premises, creating discomfort and a sense of insecurity among people visiting the park with their families.
The park is located beside the busy Battala fish market, and fish waste and other garbage are allegedly being dumped along the park wall and nearby roads. Fish remains, boxes and other waste can reportedly be seen lying in the area, resulting in a foul smell, particularly when the waste remains uncollected for a long time.
Locals have also raised questions over waste management arrangements in the area. They alleged that although municipal garbage collection vehicles are present nearby, fish-market waste continues to be dumped along the roadside and beside the park wall.
Residents have urged the Agartala Municipal Corporation, police and Smart City authorities to take immediate action to improve cleanliness and strengthen security around the park, particularly during evening hours.
They said merely spending crores of rupees on developing a Smart City facility is not enough and that regular maintenance, proper waste disposal and public safety must also be ensured.
Locals have demanded immediate removal of fish-market waste and garbage and increased surveillance inside and around the park.
The situation has also raised a broader question among residents: alongside Smart City beautification, will cleanliness and public safety also become “smart”?
