• By Kamakshi Bishnoi
  • Fri, 14 Mar 2025 10:37 AM (IST)
  • Source:JND

After fully privatising garbage collection in Delhi, the MCD is now set to entrust the upkeep of large parks to private agencies. Previously, the corporation hired employees through private agencies, but for the first time, an agency will be solely responsible for park maintenance. This initiative will begin in the Karol Bagh zone, one of MCD’s 12 zones.

With approximately 700 parks covering 256 acres, Karol Bagh zone includes 40 parks spanning over 84 acres. To manage plantation, greenery, and cleanliness in these parks, MCD will allocate Rs 3.25 crore annually to the selected agency. 

Although the corporation has sanctioned 350 gardener positions for the zone, continuous retirements and a lack of new appointments have led MCD to rely on contractual staff from private agencies. This has increased the burden of monitoring park management. To streamline operations and address staff shortages, the corporation has decided to delegate the supervision and upkeep of large parks to a private agency.

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Officials describe this move as an experiment aimed at preserving park greenery and mitigating air pollution. Vacant land in large parks will be utilised for planting trees and grass. 

According to Central Public Works Department (CPWD) guidelines, one gardener should be appointed per acre for tasks such as sapling plantation, tree pruning, and lawn maintenance. However, gardeners are also responsible for cleaning parks and repairing damaged footpaths.

Unauthorised colonies often have smaller parks, with some areas containing up to 20 parks under an individual gardener’s charge, making efficient maintenance impractical. Citywide, MCD manages 15,226 parks spanning 5,172 acres.

Ajmal Khan Park is the largest park in the Karol Bagh zone, covering 18 acres. A portion of it is used for temporary wedding setups, while another houses MCD’s recently developed Heritage Park, themed around Waste to Art. 

Other notable parks in the zone include Nagrik Dharam Kanta Park, Mini Stadium Park (Narayana Vihar), Chaudhary Harvansh Park (West Patel Nagar), Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Park (Prem Nagar), and Dussehra Park (Old Rajendra Nagar).