Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) plans to hand over the maintenance and caretaking of about 55 parks under its jurisdiction to different Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in the Capital.
The plan, which is set to be in motion by the year end, is modeled on the maintenance policies followed that by Tier-1 cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. When in place, the proposal will result in reduction of BMC’s share to zero per cent vis-à-vis development and upkeep of the parks.
Elaborating on the plan, BMC’s environment officer Kapilendra Sethi said, “The idea of giving 100 per share to RWAs and SHGs for maintaining the parks in the city was included in our 5th year plan. We have submitted the proposal and once approved, a committee will be formed to select most suitable agencies.”
Speaking about the selection of SHGs and RWAs, Sethi explained that those having experience of about two years and proper registration will be allowed to submit bids.
“The preferred agency will be closely examined by committee and will be given a monthly amount of Rs 10,000 for maintaining the parks. The RWAs and SHGs will enter into an annual agreement with the BMC and the sanctioned amount will be increased or the contract terminated on basis of the organisation’s performance after a year,” Sethi added.
According to Department of General Administration, a sum of about Rs 30 lakh is being provided for the maintenance and upkeep of parks every year. The move aims to share the burden with local inhabitants and is expected to improve the beautification of open spaces in the city.
“To provide recreational facilities to inhabitants, maintenance and beautification of parks is utmost important. In order to achieve this, we are planning to develop parks through contributory mechanism and this will be done by giving complete control of the parks to different SHGs and RWAs from the Capital city,” said Srimanta Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of the BMC.
