MCB plans to upgrade parks

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, February 18

The Municipal Corporation has planned to upgrade parks in various parts of the city. It has approved seven proposals in the recently held General House meeting.

These proposals include development works of different parks in TP scheme No.15 at a cost of Rs 15 lakh, installation of an open gym and a shed in park No.4 at Model Town at a cost of Rs 3.88 lakh, installation of an open gym and painting of park No.15 at Model Town at a cost of Rs 3 lakh, installation of an open gym and painting of park No.25 at Partap Nagar at a cost of Rs 2.70 lakh.

Further, proposals which have been given nod are repair work of park No.31 at Model Town phase 2 at a cost of Rs 3.10 lakh, installation of an open gym in parks of ward No.23 at a cost of Rs 10.64 lakh, construction of gazebo in park No.37 on the Ajit road at a cost of Rs 2.10 lakh.

Most parks in the city are in a pathetic condition and are crying for attention. The parks, which are well maintained, are just because of the efforts put in by resident welfare associations on their own. Lack of funds and manpower to maintain them, roaming of unscrupulous elements and the practice of people to litter garbage are some of the reasons behind their pathetic condition.

The major reason behind this pitiable condition of the parks is a shortage of gardeners and poor maintenance allowance being given to resident welfare associations at the old rate of 50 paise per sq yard.

Recently, the Municipa Corporation had hiked the park maintenance allowance from 50 paise to Rs 2.50 per sq yard and even after getting this proposal approved in the General House meeting, the MC has not yet started giving money on this rate due to the paucity of funds faced by the civic body in the city.

A visit to various parks in the city reveals that the fountains installed in these parks have been lying defunct for the past few years.

As there is no staff provided to keep a check on the parks, some residents living adjoining parks have encroached on park land. In a majority of parks, residents have removed the boundary grills from the back of their houses for a direct access to parks.