GURUGRAM: Almost six months after
MCG started its
survey of
parks within its area, it has finally drawn up a list of the “best maintained” and “worst maintained” parks. While 25 parks have been identified as good or very good, and will be rewarded by MCG, at least 20 parks have been identified where maintenance is unsatisfactory. MCG will take these parks back from the RWAs and maintain them itself.
The team that conducted the survey visited all 35 city wards during the last six months, randomly picked up 3-4 parks in every neighbourhood and evaluated them on various criterion, such as sanitation, greenery and maintenance. According to officials, the best parks were found in Sector 23 in
ward number 2, Sector 22B in ward number 22, Basai ward number 8 and Sector 46 in ward number 29.
“These parks were found to be very well maintained, with even swings and garden furniture in some cases. There are around 25 such parks which have scored over 50 in each category. These will be rewarded by the corporation,” said Ajay Nirala, executive engineer (horticulture), MCG. He added that while there will be no financial reward, the winners will get support for their maintenance and perks such as open air gyms in the respective neighbourhoods.
Another 20 parks have been identified for poor maintenance. “In all such cases where the condition of parks was not up to the mark, they will be taken back by MCG from the neighbouring
RWA. MCG will undertake the task of maintenance of parks in these areas,” said Nirala. A few of these areas include parks in Sector 10A of ward no 23, and those in ward number 13, 17 and 21. A few of these parks were also found encroached upon by residents.
Maintenance of parks in residential areas was handed over to RWAs in 2016, with an objective of better upkeep. The arrangement had received criticism from councillors, who had alleged that not all RWAs are capable of maintaining parks, and that MCG must take responsibility on itself.
Following this, MCG had decided that in cases where the maintenance was not up to the mark, it would take back the parks.
Interestingly, there are around five wards which do not have any parks at all. These include wards number 1, 10 and 22.
“These wards mostly include villages and slums, so they don’t have parks,” said an MCG official in the know of the matter. When asked if there was any land for parks allocated in these wards, officials said even though they maintain the parks, the onus of land allotment remains with Huda, and as long as Huda does not allocate land, they can’t proceed.
In total, over 100 parks were surveyed by a committee consisting of MCG officials. There are currently 529 parks under MCG, of which, around 80% are maintained by RWAs, said Nirala.
