Delhi MCD to outsource maintenance of larger parks

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) plans to hire private companies to maintain larger parks in the city. This initiative will start as a pilot project in the Karol Bagh area. Private agencies will take on several responsibilities, including gardening, cleaning, trimming shrubs, and managing nurseries. MCD will focus on parks that are one acre or larger. They have invited bids for this project, which is expected to cost around ₹ 3.6 crore per year. A senior official mentioned that the horticulture department has prepared a project report for this plan. The private firm will be held accountable and must regularly upload photos of the parks to a mobile app to address community complaints. This decision comes amid a shortage of gardeners in the city. MCD manages over 15,000 parks, covering a large area. In Karol Bagh alone, there are 762 parks, with many exceeding one acre in size. Officials believe that outsourcing maintenance will lead to better park management and faster responses to complaints. Contractors must address any issues within ten days, and they will incur penalties for delays or failures in maintenance. Atul Goyal, head of a local resident association, expressed concerns about relying solely on private companies. He emphasized the need for collaboration with resident welfare associations (RWAs) and adequate funding for the project to be successful.