Broken swings, damaged slides at Nawanshahr; Baradari park raise safety concerns for children
Pramod Bharti
Nawanshahr (Punjab), May 18, 2026: Serious safety concerns have emerged over the deteriorating condition of children’s play equipment at Baradari Park in Nawanshahr, with social activist Ashwani Joshi urging the district administration to take immediate action before any major accident occurs.
In a letter addressed to the Deputy Commissioner of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar, Joshi highlighted the dangerous condition of swings, slides and other play structures at the city’s popular Baradari Park.
According to him, several swings in the park have rusted chains and broken fittings, with at least one swing reportedly on the verge of collapsing.
He also pointed out that damaged fiberglass slides have exposed sharp edges, while one slide contains a large hole that could trap a child’s leg and lead to serious injuries.
Joshi further said that the absence of rubber mats or sand beneath the equipment has worsened the risk, as hard concrete flooring surrounds the play area, making even minor falls potentially dangerous.
Calling the situation alarming, the activist stated that Baradari Park is the city’s only major public park and attracts hundreds of children daily, especially during summer holidays.
“This is an open invitation to an accident. In its current condition, the park has become unsafe for children,” he said.
He demanded immediate repairs of all damaged equipment and urged the administration to introduce monthly safety audits for public parks across the district. He also called for installation of rubber flooring under play structures and the setting up of a public helpline board inside the park so that citizens can quickly report hazards.
Joshi appealed to the district administration to treat the matter as a priority and fix accountability of officials responsible for maintenance lapses, stressing that there should be “no compromise on children’s safety.”