The New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) recently inaugurated its new look children's park at the India Gate in Central Delhi. The park, first inaugurated by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru about 50 years ago, is now being managed by the Maruti Udyog Limited, India's largest car makers.

Come evening and the 15-acre area is full of young and old people having fun. Says Shashi Kapoor, deputy general manager, Marketing, Maruti Udyog Limited (MUL), "The park has been given to us for five years. And we have invested Rs 30 million in it in the last one year."

New landscaping, a vast play area, numerous swings, see-saws, a nature centre having wildlife magazines and CDs, and a computer-friendly library catering to children in the age group of 4-14 years are some of the attractions of the park.

The park also includes an amphitheatre where children are shown movies, visuals and magic shows, and a science centre where they are taught the basics of how a telephone or a railway engine works.

Two new musical fountains, including the Jungle Book Fountain, run on the rhythm of songs. the highest jet reaching up to 75 feet is a visual treat. An environment-based 10-12 minute skit is shown every evening that depicts Jungle Book characters.

Seven-year-old Namita loves Mickey Mouse. "Our little one reminds me every Saturday in office that i have to take her to the park in the evening," says her father Ramesh Bhasin.

Eleven-year-old Rajdeep is obsessed with the science centre. "I have never visited a place like this. It provides me knowledge and information which otherwise isn't forthcoming at home or in school," he says excitedly.

Parents are equally enthusiastic. "Green and open spaces are lacking in the city. It is a welcome change and I do not mind coming here from Karol Bagh every fortnight. Wish the NDMC identifies more such parks and gives it to private companies," expresses Robin Chandra.

According to Avinash Gupta, an MUL official, "About 20,000 people visit the park daily. Earlier in shambles, the place is being praised by all after upgradation." The park, which has free entrance, is kept under round-the-clock vigil by 35 security personnel. It also has four underground toilets.

In addition, a new boundary wall, railing and pathways have been built, the grass has been relaid and trees have been planted.

The park is at the polygon between Dr Zakir Hussain Marg and Shahjahan Road. There are separate entrances for pedestrians and vehicles. This arrangement has been done recently, because of speeding cars and buses at the roundabout.

Says a traffic police official posted at the site, "Traffic on any rotary is meant to be continuously moving. In fact, during peak hours we have to help many people cross the roads, but it is impossible to stop the zipping vehicles."

Police personnel, including senior police officials, are posted to man the one-way rotary during peak hours. Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Maxwell Pereira recently met NDMC officials to request them to expedite building subways at strategic points – a proposal passed by the state government a few years ago. But it is awaiting implementation.

Other plans include freeing the place of hawkers. Says Kapoor, "Children come here to enjoy. It is not right to fleece them by offering cold drinks and ice-creams at high prices. We plan to open two kiosks that will serve the children at less than market prices."

Besides, every three months, a new feature will be added to the park. The latest to be introduced is a tree house, a machan that will offer children some food for thought.