MC, residents must come together

Open House: How to ensure effective management of city parks? 

Increase number of parks in city

Owing to busy life schedules, parks have become an indispensable part of life as they provide leisure time and ensure better human physical and mental health. The Municipal Corporation (MC) must chalk out a comprehensive plan to create such spaces in every nook and corner of the city as the present number of parks is insufficient to cater to the needs of the growing city population.The civic body must conduct regular cleanliness drives. The number of jogger parks for elderly and youngsters must be increased. Recent studies have shown that parks are effective in stress management and ensuring better productivity.

Dr Manjinder Kaur

Make funds available for upkeep of parks

Parks are the lifeline of cities. They provide green spaces, pollution-free environment, plenty of oxygen, open gyms, jogging tracks and libraries. The courts have assigned the responsibility of maintenance of parks to Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) for round-the-clock maintenance of these parks and safeguard these against various misuses such as utter negligence, organising personal functions, entry of stray animals and pets causing tonnes of wastage, unhygienic conditions, breakages and thefts. Through sustained efforts, RWAs initially succeeded to some extent by creating the required infrastructure such as bathrooms, drinking water facility, lighting and seating arrangements, etc. However, delayed and nominal funds for maintenance, lack of cooperation from public, negligence on part of employees have resulted in deterioration of parks. The MC, the Punjab Urban Development Authority and the Bathinda Development Authority must ensure adequate and timely payments to RWAs for proper maintenance of city parks.

Col Virender (Retd)

MC MUST ASSIST RWA IN REPAIR WORKS

Bathinda, being a part of the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation scheme, needs to develop one children's park every year and this is the duty of the MC. The Parks Maintenance Policy terms parks as the most important element of a city, but it is sad that these most neglected ones. Though the parks are maintained by RWAs, the MC must ensure that the RWAs fulfil their responsibility. The RWAs must provide bike trails, fix broken sprinklers, clean unhygienic washrooms, repair dysfunctional lights and gym equipments, paint rust-gathering swings and benches, collect waste and set up more trash bins in the parks. The horticulture wing of the MC should inspect parks at regular interval, ensure participation of women in the RWAs, bar holding of functions and check encroachments in the parks. Then parks will become a place for break to pollution-filled lungs and stress-filled minds.

SIMRAN SIDHU

MC MUST PROVIDE FULL-TIME GARDENERS

City residents are lucky to have park in most localities. The land for parks has been earmarked by the MC but the responsibility of maintaining these parks has been entrusted to RWAs. Earlier, RWAs were finding it difficult to maintain the parks as the MC was giving little amount as maintenance grant and the residents had to collectively bear the burden of wages of part-time gardeners and sweepers. Small repairs were also carried out by the residents. But now the MC has raised the amount, making the job of RWAs easier. The MC authorities should carry out regular checks of city parks and provide centralised assistance for activities such as major repairs, whitewashing and purchase of new accessories. The MC must provide RWAs with full-time gardeners and sweepers. Their services can also be shared by two to three associations. Grass cutting machines can also be provided to associations on similar pattern. People living nearby parks should also keep a close watch and ensure flowers and plants are not damaged by stray cattle or children. Cleanliness in large parks such as Dadi Poti park in Phase 3, too, is not up to the mark. All residents must join hands to maintain these parks and ensure that iron furniture and open-air gyms machinery are not damaged by anyone. Only then will our city become clean and green.

Pursharth Joshi

MAJOR REPAIRS WORKS MUST BE STREAMLINED

The MC has provided land for parks in various localities with a condition that these should be maintained by respective RWAs. Though the civic body provides financial help at a rate of Rs2.50 per square metre, the amount is not sufficient to pay even salaries of part-time gardeners, sweepers, purchasing new plants and undertaking repairs works. The amount needs to be raised to Rs5 per square metre. At the same time, the MC should constitute teams to carry out small repairs in city parks. For major repairs, works should be overseen centrally as at present, associations have to run from pillar to post. MC officials should convene meetings of office-bearers of RWAs at regular interval to discuss issues being faced by the bodies and sort out these. Area residents should also contribute in keeping parks clean and well maintained. Children should be educated not to pluck flowers or leaves in parks. The Cooperation between the MC and city residents is a must for proper maintenance of city parks, which enhance the beauty of the city and provide a cleaner and healthier environment.

Prof NK Gosain

QUESTION

The population of beggars in the city is increasing every day. When motorists stop their vehicles at light points, they get surrounded by beggars. Do you think the authorities take steps to address the issue? If yes, what steps must be taken?

Suggestions in not more than 70 words can be sent to btitribune@gmail.com or post it to Bathinda Tribune, SCF-117, Opposite Harchand Cinema, Goniana Road, Bathinda, by February 2.