Installation of paver blocks and multiplay equipment in several sectors Concerned that there may be environmental hazards,as a result of the Municipal Corporations (MC) decision to approve the installation of paver blocks and multiplay equipment worth crores,officials have highlighted the need for a policy to be framed in this regard. In every meeting of the civic body whether of the House or Finance and Contract Committee a number of agenda items pertaining to the installation of paver blocks and multiplay equipment are approved. Recently,the agenda to prepare policies was introduced in a House Meet. However,this being the election year,the councillors have refused to relent. According to them,when work has been done in half of the sectors,it should be completed in others as well and a need for a policy needs to be debated. Following this,the matter has been referred to the MC sub-committees. While the issue of discussing the policy for multiplay equipment has been referred to the City Beautification Committee,the installation of paver blocks has been referred to the Roads Committee. In many sectors of the city,the parks and greenbelts are dotted with colourful play equipment. Around 122 multiplay equipment has already been installed,While another 185 are in the process of being installed,estimates of another 556 are in the pipeline. Cost of each equipment varies between Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.25 lakh. According to officials,the play equipment is made of fiber material. Indiscriminate and excessive use of such equipment is not desirable from the environment point of view and will also require frequent repair. Too many play equipment are impinging upon the natural look of the green belts,it was observed. Following this,the officials have suggested that reasonable number of play equipment should be used preferably not more than one in each of the four pockets of a sector. Another issue of contention is the installation of paver blocks. These are being installed indiscriminately in road berms,open spaces,around parks and greenbelts as well as space between two blocks between houses. While around Rs 10 crore has already been spent over the installation of paver blocks during 2010-11,estimates amounting to Rs 40 crore have been passed. Pointing out the after affects of paver blocks being installed,the officials have stated that it leads to reduction in green cover,recharging of paver blocks and additional burden on storm water drainage system. The paver blocks reduce percolation of water and due to water spilling on the roads,there is waterlogging. According to Municipal Commissioner Dr Roshan Sunkaria,a lot of money is being spent on installation of paver blocks and multiplay equipment. There is a need to framing a suitable policy,so that there can be adequate maintenance as well as no environment hazards, he added. Meanwhile,Congress Councillor Anu Chatrath has stated that the policy should have been brought in the beginning of the year. When work has been completed in almost 70 per cent of the areas,it will lead to friction between councillors if a policy is formulated now. The officials should have thought of this earlier, she said. The wards of Congress councillors are dotted with equipment and paver blocks. The officials have discriminated against our wards. The wards of Opposition councillors should also have the equipment installed, demanded BJP Councillor Rajesh Gupta.
