Municipal Corporation of Delhi Revives Park Maintenance Scheme After Nearly Four Years
In a significant move to enhance urban green spaces, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to revive and unify its public-private partnership scheme for park maintenance through resident welfare associations (RWAs) and voluntary organizations. This initiative returns after a gap of nearly four years, aiming to address long-standing issues in park upkeep across the capital.
New Framework and Financial Support
Under the revived policy, RWAs and registered voluntary bodies will be permitted to adopt neighborhood parks for their maintenance and care. A proposal detailing this framework is expected to be presented before the MCD standing committee on Monday. The new system introduces a unified payment structure, providing assistance of Rs 13,500 per acre to participating RWAs.
This marks a departure from the previous approach where the erstwhile south, north, and east municipal corporations had different payment rates. Previously, south Delhi offered Rs 13,500 per acre, while north Delhi provided Rs 8,000 and east Delhi Rs 8,500. The revised scheme standardizes support across all zones, ensuring equitable resource distribution.
Addressing Past Financial Constraints
The scheme was originally halted in 2022 due to severe financial constraints, as the corporation struggled to clear payments to RWAs for park maintenance. Outstanding dues had mounted to nearly Rs 16 crore, with approximately Rs 9-10 crore pending in three specific zones—Rohini, Keshavpuram, and Narela—since 2019.
An MCD official stated, "Most of the pending amount is now released or approved by the finance department. We are obtaining undertakings from RWA office-bearers confirming receipt of dues and their willingness to continue under the revived scheme." This step is crucial to rebuilding trust and ensuring sustained community participation.
Historical Context and Community Impact
Originally launched over a decade ago to promote community involvement and improve maintenance standards, the scheme previously saw around 222 RWAs adopting 1,315 parks. However, persistent delays in payments created uncertainty among RWAs, leading many to reconsider their participation. Residents repeatedly voiced concerns about non-payment and deteriorating park conditions, exacerbated by inadequate staffing and irregular maintenance by MCD.
The revival aims to rectify these issues by incorporating regular monitoring by MCD staff and additional support measures, such as providing compost from green waste management centers. These enhancements are designed to foster better park management and environmental sustainability.
Future Plans for Larger Parks
In parallel, MCD officials are developing a separate proposal to hand over larger parks—those exceeding three acres—to private concessionaires for upkeep. This initiative responds to persistent staff shortages and resource constraints within the corporation, seeking alternative models for maintaining expansive green spaces.
The renewed focus on park maintenance underscores MCD's commitment to improving Delhi's urban infrastructure and quality of life. By unifying payments, clearing past dues, and exploring new partnerships, the corporation aims to create a more reliable and effective system for park care, benefiting communities across the city.
