Indian Express 08.01.2010
Lights lie defunct in green belts, MC to alter maintenance rules for contractors
The Municipal Corporation is likely to change the terms and conditions for allotment of tenders to private contractors for maintenance of greenbelts. The civic body is considering separating electrical work from maintenance of greenbelts.
The MC has given a number of greenbelts to private contractors for maintenance. A problem being encountered is that the lights in most of these greenbelts are lying defunct. It was felt that a contractor who is efficient in maintaining the horticulture aspect may not be equally qualified to look into the electrical aspect.
Many councillors, the greenbelts in whose areas had been given in private hands, had listed out similar problems. The councillors had rued that lighting in the greenbelts was not proper and was causing problems like people consuming alcohol in the greenbelts at night and creating ruckus. Empty liquor bottles had frequently been recovered from the greenbelts.
The maintenance of the greenbelts had been given to private hands keeping in view the shortage of staff with the civic body. There are 49 greenbelts, 16 big gardens and numerous parks being maintained by the civic body. However, the upkeep becomes difficult in the wake of insufficient staff.
The councillors state that the upkeep of greenbelts was satisfactory, but the electrical aspect needed to be taken care of.
Mayor Anu Chatrath said the maintenance of greenbelts and the electrical aspect should be separate and the issue was being considered.
