MC’s playground proposal gathers dust

Mayor Subhash Chawla now says that the MC is waiting for approval from the chief engineer to start with the process. “The residents welfare association of Sector 21 has allowed us to develop the ground on two conditions: They want the MC to provide two security guards for the school in the evening hours and they want us to be responsible if any of the school property gets damaged by the children. It is a kind of a unwritten MoU between the residents welfare association and us. We have accepted the conditions but the chief engineer needs to give his approval for the upgradation of the play-ground which includes closing down the 20-year-old swimming pool and building of the boundary walls,” Chawla said.

He added that so far 7-8 government schools have given their nod for the project. Mayor Chawla also underlined that the success of the project was dependent on the co-operation of the concerned area councillors.

Critics,however,said the Municipal Corporation has done nothing to implement the project.

“The MC came up with this project 8-9 months ago but they don’t seem to take a step ahead. The area in the sector-21 government school on which playground has to be made,is in a pathetic condition and the boundary walls are broken. I also recommended 12 playgrounds in my sector but it was rejected by the architect department. I personally feel that it is already late,MC should work on this as soon as possible,” said Mukesh Bassi,counsellor of Sector 21.

“It is only a policy to decide; MC just has to allow children to play in the playground. I don’t understand that why are they waiting for the chief architect’s approval on this matter. Children have been playing in the green belts,they are left with no other option. Even the sports department is not taking any initiative,” said P C Sanghi,the chairman of FOSWAC – Federation of Sectors Welfare Association Chandigarh.