MC to seek approval to construct playgrounds in residential areas

While agenda items for specific sectors were presented before the House,councillor Pardeep Chhabra pointed out that similar agenda items for his ward were approved more than a year ago. However,the proposal was not cleared by the Chief Architect.

Municipal Commissioner Vivek Pratap Singh suggested that the agenda be given in principle approval and the proposals be sent to the Chief Architect for getting clearance.

It was further suggested that the councillors could identify the parks and open spaces in their wards that they wanted converted into playgrounds so that permission can be sought for specific parks.

The Commissioner stated that while there is no approval required in leaving the parks without developing these so that children can play and residents can use the space,for making playgrounds,permission is needed.

Councillor Arun Sood pointed out that with there being too many parks in the city,the MC was not able to maintain these. These could be converted into playgrounds after consultation with the residents.

There are often disputes in the residential areas as after a park is developed with benches installed and walking paths constructed,children are not allowed to play. A proposal had earlier been mooted that children be allowed to play in the grounds of the government schools in the area. This was not welcomed by the school authorities who opined that children would damage school property.