CHENNAI: The city is set to get 54 new parks, mostly in the added areas, that will have walking tracks, children’s play areas, lawns and trees. Some may also get yoga centres and open gyms.
Pooniamman Nagar and V S Mani Nagar in Manali, Senthil Murugan Nagar and Thamirabharani Street in Ambattur, Kottivakkam and Senthil Nagar in Madipakkam (Perungudi zone) and Karappakam and Semmenchery in Sholinganallur are among the areas where the parks will come up within six months at costs ranging from `36 lakh to `1 crore based on the area.
The city, spread across 426sqkm, now has 1.6 sq km of parks against an ideal park space of more than 100 sq km given the population and the number of properties.
Greater Chennai Corporation deputy commissioner (works) said, several new projects are in the pipeline. “Four new theme-based parks including in Kotturpuram and in Nolambur will also be completed soon,” he said.
An engineer said the projects, in the pipeline since 2018, couldn’t be taken up earlier due to fund crunch. “Now, we are using capital funds of `45 crore to create them. They will be maintained by contractors or residential welfare associations. We have added about 149 new parks in the last two years, increasing the number from 525 to 674. Our target was 200 new parks,” said an official.
Another official said the civic body usually takes up a project when an open space designated as park is handed over by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority after property registration. “Also, space under litigation when reclaimed is converted into a park or garden.”
Presently, 40 parks are maintained by residential welfare associations, corporate companies and NGOs. The rest are contracted for ₹41crore, as per this year’s budget.
Residents of Ambattur, where the most parks, 12, are coming up, are thrilled. S Suresh, secretary of the Thiruvengada Nagar Residents Welfare Association, said they wanted the civic body to ensure better maintenance and lighting. People in Perungudi and Sholinganallur, which will each get six and eight parks, said they had always used the beach as recreation space. “We have demanded open spaces including playgrounds since 2014. We are glad they have finally been taken up,” said M Rajesh, a resident.
Vishvesh Patel of Balaji Nagar in Royapettah said he had to travel 5km daily to use a park, near Napier bridge. “If the civic body can reclaim OSR lands in city areas that have been encroached upon as well as create parks, it would be very helpful.”
M B Nirmal, founder and chairman of Exnora International, said new parks were always welcome. “They should be looked as major greening spaces and not just concrete walking areas.”
Corporation commissioner G Prakash was unavailable for comment.
Pooniamman Nagar and V S Mani Nagar in Manali, Senthil Murugan Nagar and Thamirabharani Street in Ambattur, Kottivakkam and Senthil Nagar in Madipakkam (Perungudi zone) and Karappakam and Semmenchery in Sholinganallur are among the areas where the parks will come up within six months at costs ranging from `36 lakh to `1 crore based on the area.
The city, spread across 426sqkm, now has 1.6 sq km of parks against an ideal park space of more than 100 sq km given the population and the number of properties.
Greater Chennai Corporation deputy commissioner (works) said, several new projects are in the pipeline. “Four new theme-based parks including in Kotturpuram and in Nolambur will also be completed soon,” he said.
An engineer said the projects, in the pipeline since 2018, couldn’t be taken up earlier due to fund crunch. “Now, we are using capital funds of `45 crore to create them. They will be maintained by contractors or residential welfare associations. We have added about 149 new parks in the last two years, increasing the number from 525 to 674. Our target was 200 new parks,” said an official.
Another official said the civic body usually takes up a project when an open space designated as park is handed over by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority after property registration. “Also, space under litigation when reclaimed is converted into a park or garden.”
Presently, 40 parks are maintained by residential welfare associations, corporate companies and NGOs. The rest are contracted for ₹41crore, as per this year’s budget.
Residents of Ambattur, where the most parks, 12, are coming up, are thrilled. S Suresh, secretary of the Thiruvengada Nagar Residents Welfare Association, said they wanted the civic body to ensure better maintenance and lighting. People in Perungudi and Sholinganallur, which will each get six and eight parks, said they had always used the beach as recreation space. “We have demanded open spaces including playgrounds since 2014. We are glad they have finally been taken up,” said M Rajesh, a resident.
Vishvesh Patel of Balaji Nagar in Royapettah said he had to travel 5km daily to use a park, near Napier bridge. “If the civic body can reclaim OSR lands in city areas that have been encroached upon as well as create parks, it would be very helpful.”
M B Nirmal, founder and chairman of Exnora International, said new parks were always welcome. “They should be looked as major greening spaces and not just concrete walking areas.”
Corporation commissioner G Prakash was unavailable for comment.
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