Status: Not ApprovedHEAD: 24_Del_VS_Vibha Sharma–MCD gym equipment repairByline: Vibha SharmaMcd initiates repair of gym and childrens play equipment in parksVibha SharmaNew Delhi: After a prolonged wait and repeated demands from residents, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) initiated the process to repair gym equipment installed in its parks.The repair work already began in certain zones, officials said. In addition, a dedicated drive to fix swings and other children’s play equipment will soon be launched to ensure safer and better-maintained recreational spaces across the city.The issue of damaged gym equipment in parks was raised during Monday’s Standing Committee meeting by Mahipalpur councillor Inderjeet Sehrawat. He highlighted how broken and poorly maintained facilities discouraged residents from using them. “What is the point of establishing the facilities when people can’t use them because they are broken and not maintained properly? There is a need to formulate a proper maintenance policy,” he said.MCD maintains around 15,000 parks across the city, of which gym equipment was installed at nearly 2,000 locations following residents’ demands or requests from councillors.An official informed that the annual maintenance and repair work was now assigned to a concessionaire for a period of 1 year.“After the previous contract ended, it took time to appoint a new agency due to a shortage of funds. We tried to secure funds from the Chief Minister’s Development Fund, but that did not materialise. After the issue was raised in the Standing Committee last year, the then MCD Commissioner approved funds from his own budget. Accordingly, a tender of approximately ₹10 crore was floated. So far, 300 parks were covered. The appointed agency will not only repair broken or damaged equipment but also maintain it for 1 year,” the official said.Regarding children’s play equipment, ₹1.2 crore was allocated for a one-time repair drive covering facilities across more than 1,200 wards. The work was expected to begin soon. Councillors pointed out that with summer vacations already underway, children were visiting parks more frequently. “To avoid any untoward incidents, it would be better if repair work is completed on time,” said a councillor.The development comes amid persistent complaints from residents about broken swings and slides. Karan Aggarwal, a resident of D Block, East of Kailash, informed that the swings and slides were broken at his neighbourhood park (Godavari Park) for a long time. “After that, I wrote on the PMO portal and MCD; the latter got the swings and slides dismantled to ensure no other child gets injured. We expect MCD to reinstall them only when they are repaired properly,” said Aggarwal. MSID:: 128752914 413 |
