The park is being used by walkers, senior citizens, and children for relaxation and recreational activities

The proposal to construct a multi-specialty hospital on the existing Helipad park on the premises of the Collectorate office by the State government is drawing flak from various sections of society, especially environmentalists.
Minister for Health P. Laxma Reddy, during his recent visit to Karimnagar town, had announced construction of multi-specialty hospital at the sprawling Helipad park in the Collectorate in the heart of town and said they would lay the foundation stone very soon.
The permanent Helipad park was constructed 17 years ago by the then administrators to ensure that three helicopters land at a time on the sprawling premises, and developed greenery all around to avoid dust being raised during landing and take-off of the choppers.
This Helipad park has helped several top dignitaries, including the then Defence Minister George Fernandez, Chief Ministers, Union Ministers, political party leaders such as AICC president Sonia Gandhi and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi when he was the Gujarat Chief Minister, among others, visit Karimnagar town on various occasions.
The Helipad park had also come in handy for walkers, senior citizens, and children for relaxation and recreational activities.
However, the State government’s decision to construct multi-specialty hospital on the premises is being opposed all sections of the society, including the Collectorate employees.
Consumer activist N. Srinivas said that the government should rethink about its decision to convert the Helipad park into a hospital as the people of the town lose the available lung-space. He suggested that the government should construct the hospital at the Satavahana University PG College premises on the outskirts of the town in serene atmosphere amid greenery.
The walkers also demanded that the park should not be disturbed as the then administrators took a lot of effort to construct the permanent helipad park. The park should be maintained as it is like the Begumpet Airport for the benefit of VVIPs who visit Karimnagar town, they said, adding that the government could save the State exchequer by avoiding construction of temporary helipads.
The Collectorate employees also opposed the move stating that the construction of the hospital adjacent to the government offices would disturb the environment, with sanitation going for a toss.
The patients require tranquil atmosphere for treatment and not at the choking Collectorate office premises, they opined.