Building new parks, upkeep of existing ones a major poll issue in South Delhi

Parks have been the symbols urbanisation in South Delhi. As spaces in the city shrink, good quality parks have assumed a lot of importance for South Delhi residents.

After the Municipal Corporation polls, in addition to setting up of more parks, the challenge will also be to maintain the existing ones.

Having faced criticism for long over the maintenance of parks in the city, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi adopted the public private partnership (PPP) model, wherein maintenance of parks was handed over to resident Welfare Associations (RWA).

Though various Councillors admit that handing over of the parks to RWA's for maintenance has improved the situation, challenges are still aplenty.

Promises to set up open gyms, installing fibre swings and improving lighting in parks have mostly been partially unfulfilled.

There have been plans to utilise sewage water treated from plants to water the plants in parks, so as to preserve water. But not all parks have resorted to this technique yet.

Amid all such grand plans, most South Delhi residents highlighted that there is lot that needs to be done to improve the prevailing condition.

"For long the situation of parks in the area was not good at all. With loss of green cover and no area for recreational activities, the residents are forced to take steps to improve parks in the area. While the situation may have improved slightly, there is still lot which needs to be done," added Pankaj Nagpal, a resident of Malviya Nagar.

Highlighting some of the challenges, Nagpal said: "There is no proper lighting in most of the city parks. Only a few parks in the area have facilities like open gyms and good quality swings. Further, there are many areas that do not even have parks in their areas."

However, stressing that there has been work done in many parks in South Delhi, Satish Upadhyay, former South Delhi Municipal Corporation Councillor said: "The situation of most parks in the city has improved. There are, however, certain parks in the area where effective watering of plants is not being done. We will try to bring water in these parks."

"Many parks are in a bad state, but the parks in Kalkaji are in very good shape and have been maintained well," said Narinderkaur Captain of Congress, who is contesting from Kalkaji.