Maharashtra: Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurates Oxygen Bird Park in Nagpur

Nagpur (Maharashtra) [India], September 28 (ANI): Union Minister of Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Saturday inaugurated Oxygen Bird Park (Amrit Mahotsav Park) along the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Highway-44 in Nagpur, Maharashtra.

While speaking to ANI after the inauguration Gadkari said “We must protect the environment…In a city like Delhi pollution has increased which affects the health of the public…In this park senior citizens, the public will come as the air in the park is very pure…Various trees have been planted in the park. This is an initiative of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).”

“Oxygen Bird Park (Amrit Mahotsav Park) is an eco-initiative developed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) near Jamtha, along the Nagpur-Hyderabad National Highway-44. Covering a total area of 8.23 hectares, including 2.5 hectares dedicated to social forestry, the park is designed to serve both as a natural bird habitat and as a recreational space for locals and tourists,” as per a press release from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

The project, which integrates environmental sustainability and recreational facilities, was formally approved in March 2023 with a development cost of Rs 14.31 crore, as per the release.

“The idea for the park originated from a suggestion by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to RO Nagpur to develop a Amrit Mahotsav Park on NHAI land parcel for observing the variety of birds found in this part of Central India as well as recreation of citizens,” the release stated.

The vision was to establish a green space provide a safe and natural habitat for a wide variety of bird species. Located in an environment designed to mimic natural ecosystems, the park aims to conserve both local and migratory bird populations, as per the release.

“This initiative has been included as an additional work in the broader infrastructural project of developing a four-lane standalone ring road around Nagpur city, with the park located at the Clover Leaf intersection near the Jamtha International Cricket Stadium,” the release stated.

The park offers a range of amenities including a ticket counter, food court, modern toilets, internal pathways, a jogging/cycling track, an amphitheatre with an increased plinth height, watch towers, and cast-iron benches. Landscaping features expanded lawns, green pockets, and an irrigation system. Utilities are well-integrated, including a 200 kVA transformer and additional borewells, as per the release.

The event was attended by Shyam Kumar Barve, MP, Tekchand Sawarkar, MLA, Ashish Jaiswal, MLA, Vikas Kumbhare, Sudhakar Kohale and Anurag Jain, Secretary, MoRTH and Senior Officials of ministry and NHAI.