Bal Bhavan in Bangalore: A park in ruins

A motor boat that cannot sail, an electric horse that does not rock, a science park that remains closed, the Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park has turned out to be a major disappointment for children, even as it celebrates its silver jubilee year.

Hundreds of kids are forced to wait for hours for a boat ride as the Bhavan has only one boat that can sail. Although two were purchased, one is lying unused as it hasn’t been repaired for the past 18 months.

“I brought my two kids to Bal Bhavan as it is the most affordable recreation centre in the city for children. But I am disappointed. The long wait for a boat ride forced me to take my children home without a boat ride,” said Shobha Prabhu.

The electric horse, car and aeroplane draw children in huge numbers but now nothing works. A bus purchased to ferry children from their schools to the Bhavan has been abandoned after it encountered some mechanical problems. “They are defunct for over a year now,” an employee of Bal Bhavan told DNA explaining the sorry state of affairs in the institution.