Residents up in arms as MC leases out public park to set up pvt cafe

The cash-strapped district administration has started leasing out public parks to private cafes, drawing criticism from locals. Park land worth crores has been given for seven years on lease to a private company to raise and run a cafeteria in Model Town area despite opposition.

Local residents rued not being consulted or briefed about any such plan. “Suddenly machines started digging a portion of the park that also faces the main road. When we bought these plots from the government, we paid an extra premium as they were park facing. Now suddenly the Municipal Corporation (MC) decided that there would be a café inside the park”, they say, adding, “The civic body’s role is to extend facilities to residents and not accommodate private firms”.

Talking to The Tribune, Model Town resident Pardeep Bajwa alleged that some officials with active connivance leased the road facing chunk of park land for seven years to a private firm without any prescribed rules. “There is no parking space as it is a residential pocket. Also who would be held accountable for security or accidents as children and elderly use this park”, he said.

Sources inside the district administration revealed

that the whole process of tendering and permitting a private firm was done without any public hearing. “In lieu of Rs 6 lakh per annum for seven years and maintenance of this park, the tender was allotted to a hospitality firm. Interestingly the commercial value of the plots in this area is over 3 croresfor such land and therefore the rent is peanuts,” said another official.

Notably, two years ago, the district administration had allowed the MC to create “The recycle coffee shop” using material out of waste at the tubewell room of Model Town park. However, the shop could not be maintained by the officials and was shut.

“Other parks in Patiala too can be leased for commercial activities and land sharks will start eyeing parks. The government should take action against those responsible for allowing commercial activity in residential area,” said residents. “The master plan clearly mentions it as a public park. Under what rules a tender was allotted to start commercial activity here, should be explained,” they claim.

Will look into the matter: Mayor

Mayor Kundan Gogia, meanwhile, said he stands by the people, adding, “Commercial activity in the parks should not be allowed. We cannot ignore the residents to promote a café inside a public park.” He assured that he would look into the matter.

However, elaborating the lease and the permission to the café inside the park, Municipal Commissioner Paramvir Singh said the cafe has come up at the coffee shop site.

“Since it was lying shut, we leased it to a private vendor after a proper tendering process. The firm will pay the rent and also maintain the park”, he stated.