Patna: Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar will lay the foundation stone for a new ‘Waste to Wonder’ theme park on August 6, to be constructed along the JP Ganga Path in Patna. The 10-acre park, to be named Dr Rajendra Prasad Bihar Gaurav Park, aims to transform urban waste into public art and environmental education.
Modelled on Chandigarh’s iconic Rock Garden, the theme park will showcase scrap-made replicas of several famous monuments from Bihar. Among them are the Vishnupad Temple, Sher Shah Suri’s Tomb, Vishwa Shanti Stupa, Nalanda University, Mundeshwari Temple, Barabar Caves, Punaura Dham, and the Ashoka Pillar.
Estimated at Rs 15 crore, the park will sit between the JP Ganga Path (commonly known as Marine Drive) and the samadhi of Dr Rajendra Prasad, India’s first President.
In addition to the sculptural installations, the park will include a food court and be adorned with traditional Bihari art forms such as Madhubani, Manjusha, Tikuli, and Sujni paintings. Materials like used tyres, broken pipes, discarded bangles, e-waste, bottles and metal scraps will be used to create the artworks.
Officials say the park aims to not only beautify the city but also raise awareness about waste management and sustainability. “The objective is to promote the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ and demonstrate the concept of ‘Waste to Wealth’ by turning junk into cultural landmarks,” a senior official from the Urban Development Department said.
