New Delhi: Prakriti – Metro Park, a one of a kind park oriented towards creating greener public spaces in the capital, was unveiled by the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) at Shastri Park today. Justice Swatanter Kumar, Chairperson, National Green Tribunal (NBT) inaugurated the park in the presence of DMRC’s Managing Director, Dr. Mangu Singh and other senior officials.

Spread over an area of over 10 acres, the park has a host of recreational as well as artistic attractions. Facilities such as an auditorium, amphitheatre, meditation alcove, playground for children and gymnasium have been provided for the visitors. A lake with fountain along with a rain forest has also been created in the park.

The main highlights of the park are the artistic installations created from waste materials generated from the Delhi Metro’s construction sites. Artists from across the country have come together to create these beautiful installations, all of which carry pertinent messages on a range of issues. Almost one third of the materials used in the park are salvaged materials.

Delhi Metro’s care for the environment has also been depicted both in the design as well as the eventual construction of the park. An environmental gallery has been created which has paintings about the importance of environmental protection.

Utilization of top soil from various underground station sites, plantation of nature, medicinal and pollution absorbing plants, bird attracting species, creation of a ‘Rain forest’ etc. are some of the other green attractions of the park.

Because of these features, the park has also received a ‘Platinum’ rating from the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).  The water required for horticultural use will be provided by the Sewerage Water Treatment Plant (STP) in the vicinity and 20 kW of power requirements will be met by solar power generation making it a net positive energy park.

For irrigation purposes also, treated water is being used. Arrangements for rainwater harvesting has been done for 100 percent runoff water from the site. Almost 97 percent of plant species are native enabling water use reduction. Nearly, 90 percent of construction materials used are also local materials. During the construction work, no construction waste was sent to landfills, instead waste materials from other DMRC sites was reused. The organic waste generated at the park is also being treated.

Another highlight of the park is the Trellis Court which has eight pillars of progressively increasing height in the centre which depicts the evolution of Delhi Metro from a nascent organisation, which took up the challenge of encompassing Delhi with metro network to a confident and evolved organisation which is now in the process of completing many new lines.

Appreciating the efforts of Delhi Metro in creating this park, Justice Swatanter Kumar said,”DMRC has not only contributed excellence in transportation but it stands out for two more things – it is environmentally conscious and it makes the effort to be self reliant. With the Prakriti Park, DMRC has begun a new chapter in CSR. It will set a good precedence for others in the corporate sector to follow.”

The park is within walking distance from the Shastri Park Metro station on the Red Line. It also has a dedicated parking lot where there is space for the parking of 72 cars.

Source//DMRC