Madurai: Despite having nearly 291 parks and open spaces, Madurai offers few public areas where residents can walk, relax, or let children play safely, as many parks suffer from years of neglect and poor maintenance.
Residents say the Madurai Corporation has largely abandoned routine upkeep, forcing welfare associations, NGOs, and trusts to take responsibility for maintaining several parks. While a handful of parks remain functional through voluntary efforts, many others have deteriorated into overgrown spaces strewn with garbage, broken play equipment, and empty liquor bottles.
In Anna Nagar, residents said the corporation carried out beautification work in 2022 but failed to ensure regular maintenance thereafter. Of the four parks in the locality, two are maintained by residents, while the larger parks have been neglected. “After the beautification work, maintenance was left entirely to residents. If we don’t take care of these parks, nobody else will,” said Balasubramaniam, secretary of the LIC Colony Residents Welfare Association.
The neglect is visible across the city. Residents point to damaged or missing gates, broken compound walls, rusted play equipment, and poor lighting, making several parks unsafe after dark. Many parks have also become gathering spots for tipplers, with broken glass and discarded liquor bottles often found near walkways and play areas.
In Singarayar Colony, residents have taken over routine upkeep of the municipal park. “It is not feasible for us to spend money regularly on maintenance. So, members of the association clean the park whenever required. Earlier there was a watchman. Now we simply keep the park locked when not in use,” said Dr Qadir, president of the Singarayar Colony Residents Welfare Association.
The corporation’s reliance on external support is evident elsewhere. The Special Needs Park near Race Course Road is maintained by the Madurai Group Living Foundation, while workers attached to Thirumalai Nayakkar Mahal look after the nearby park.
Residents said the situation is particularly severe in parts of Madurai South. At Barrister George Joseph Park in Balarangapuram, the gate is missing, play equipment is damaged, and walkways have been overtaken by vegetation. “There is an overwhelming stench of urine near the park. Because there is no proper gate, intoxicated people are often found sleeping there even during the day,” said Chandrashekar, a resident. He added that parks near Meenakshi Sundareswarar Temple and in Villapuram face similar neglect.
A senior corporation official acknowledged that corporation workers are not currently assigned to maintain parks. Apart from clearing waste collected in nearby bins during routine garbage collection, there is no dedicated maintenance mechanism in place.
The last major improvement works were carried out under the AMRUT scheme. Since then, residents say, many parks have been left to fend for themselves, turning public spaces intended for recreation into symbols of civic neglect.
