The Hindu              28.10.2013

Proposals to develop parks remain on paper

Sometime ago the Coimbatore Corporation issued orders to
corporate houses, non-government organisations and a few others for the
development of 19 reserve sites as parks and 12 traffic islands.

The
orders, as on October 22, remain on paper as nothing much has happened
since the civic body issued the orders, said sources in the civic body.

The Corporation’s novel initiative to rope in players in the private sector to maintain parks started sometime ago.

The
meeting saw enthusiastic participation from the representatives of
business houses, non-government organisations, residents’ welfare
associations and others.

This led the Coimbatore
Corporation to conduct another meeting in August this year with the
participation of a large number of people in the presence of the then
Collector M. Karunagaran.

Mr. Karunagaran and
Corporation Commissioner G. Latha asked those interested in developing
reserve sites and traffic islands to come up with a detailed proposal
saying what they intended to do.

On its part the
Corporation had prepared two park designs for the interested parties to
either adopt or emulate, the Commissioner said and added that the
Corporation would provide certain basic amenities.

After
the meeting, the Corporation issued orders for the development of 19
reserve sites and 12 traffic islands with certain conditions (for a list
of parks see graphic).

The sources said that the
promise by corporate houses, non-government organisations and others
seemed to be only public posturing for nothing has happened on the
ground. The reserve site remained underdeveloped.

This
lukewarm response had come at a time when the Corporation was
desperately trying to survey reserve sites, take possession and place
boards and publish the details thereof on its website to prevent
encroachment and also public from being duped into buying those lands.

The Corporation had so far surveyed reserve sites in 22 wards and published the same on its website, on the home page.

The
sources added that response had now cast doubts over the Corporation’s
move to invite more private players to develop more reserve sites.

Ms. Latha said that it was a novel initiative that needed regular follow-up.

She had planned to invite those who had received the orders for development of parks to give a deadline and stick to the same.

The civic body would take a similar action to develop traffic islands, she added.