NEW DELHI: A discarded garbage truck lying in the yard for years got a new lease of life with the horticulture department of East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC) developing it into a “Mobile Park”. The unique initiative was launched on Friday to help children living in congested unauthorised colonies and slums, where there are no vacant sites or parks, get access to better playing facilities.
The first mobile park was inaugurated by deputy CM Manish Sisodia at Delhi Tourism’s Garden Festival at Saket. More such parks would be developed depending on the feedback from people. They would be placed in 14 wards in east Delhi where there are no playing areas or parks.
EDMC horticulture director Raghwendra Singh said, “The first-of-its-kind mobile park was made after retrofitting and redesigning an old truck. At least seven types of swings, a small lawn and decorative items have been installed to attract children. Since the park is at a height, we have installed grilles for the safety of children.”
The grilles have been extracted from old benches. Even the swings are a combination of old and new ones.
“We are planning to redesign four more discarded garbage trucks to create such 30x40 feet parks. We will take the help of councillors to identify roundabouts, intersections and open sites where they can be placed for children to avail of the facility. They can even be placed at municipal schools for a few hours. Two employees will be tasked to ensure the swings, etc do not get damaged,” said an EDMC official.
The park has been made for children aged 3-10 years and only 18 of them would be allowed to use it at a time. Parents won’t be allowed to come inside.
The idea to develop the park came when EDMC officials were looking for a creative theme for the Garden Festival. “After not finding anything exciting, we visited our yards where old swings and garbage trucks were stationed. We decided to reuse them as waste-to-art. Our staffers, who have skills in welding and electric works, made the first mobile park. We are eagerly waiting to install them in different areas,” said Singh.
Municipal wards that don’t have proper playing areas or parks include New Ashok Nagar, Chauhan Bangar, Ghonda, Brahmpuri, Johripur, Saboli, Harsh Vihar, Shiv Vihar, Mustafabad, Karawal Nagar West, Khajuri Khas, Sri Ram Colony and Nehru Vihar.