GHMC fails to utilise funds for parks

   LB Nagar: The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) has utilised only just about half of the Rs 11.44 cr funds allotted in 2018-19 for the purpose of parks development. There are about 140 parks in the east zone, out of which 128 are maintained by Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) and the rest by GHMC. The civic body is presently planting saplings in the parks. 

The citizens have been asking for maintenance of many parks in many localities. It has been reported that many parks didn’t have security guards and streetlights are found non-functioning, due to which anti-social elements loiter in the park area creating fear among the park visitors. The non-maintenance of park pavements and children playing equipment are also a cause of concern. 

Parks are the only recreational places available for the common man, and even these are not maintained properly.
    
Speaking to The Hans India, Yugindhar, Deputy Director, Urban Biodiversity, GHMC east zone, said, “Our main concern is to make the city green. GHMC has announced that there would be at least 25 new major parks in the city. These parks are planned to provide lung spaces in the city and create better living conditions overall. 
“We recently received orders for keeping the open lands of government clean and safe for probable development of new parks. Maintenance of the sports and children equipment in playgrounds is also in the process.” added Yugindhar.  
 
“Parks are now the only recreational places in the city where elderly people like us can come and relax a bit. Officials need to maintain these parks and make sure there is enough greenery,” says Kalyani, a regular visitor of Priyadarshini Park, Saroornagar. 
 
“Though the inside of the parks is clean, however, the surrounding areas of the park are filthy. It has become so bad that once you exit the park gate, you notice garbage outside,” said Yash, a regular morning walker of the HUDA Complex Park, Kothapet.