‘Handing over maintenance of parks to RWAs is no solution’

South Delhi Municipal Corporation Standing Committee chairman Rajesh Gehlot talked to HT about the state of parks in the area. Excerpts from the nterview to Ritam Halder.

South Delhi Municipal Corporation Standing Committee chairman Rajesh Gehlot talked to HT about the state of parks in the area. Excerpts from an interview:

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Why are the corporation-maintained parks in such a bad condition?
The recruitment for the posts of gardener for maintaining corporation parks has been pending for the past five years. We have sent the files to the director of local bodies to expedite the process. I have met them four times as well. Hopefully, it will be done soon and then there will be enough manpower to look after all the parks within our jurisdiction.

RWA-maintained parks have all required facilities and get proper maintenance. Do you think that is the way to go and all the parks should be handed over to the respective RWAs?
It won’t be the right step. There are many areas where there are three RWAs and all their efforts go in infighting. Though some of them have done good work but there are many who have taken money from the corporation and haven’t worked. You cannot say that all corporation-maintained parks are bad.

What are you going to do to solve two major issues of lights and water pumps?
We have already given an order that dysfunctional lights should be replaced immediately. Steps will also be taken to address the water pump issue.