The Greater Chennai Corporation has penalized park contractors, collecting fines totaling Rs 4.96 lakh in the last 10 weeks and urged residents to report poor maintenance of any of the 704 parks in their neighborhood to civic authorities .
According to a press release, residents have been requested to call the corporation helpline 1913 to complain about the poor maintenance of the parks. Residents are requested to complain about the poor maintenance of the parks to the zonal authorities or the regional authorities.
Out of 704 parks built by the Greater Chennai Corporation in 15 zones of the city, 540 parks are maintained by private contractors.
Contractors have been asked to focus on maintenance of lawns, flowering plants, trees. A book should be kept at the entrance of the parks to record the complaints of the visitors. A board should be put up to display the park’s open hours. Details regarding the number of persons working for maintenance in the park should also be displayed at the entrance.
The contractors will be paid based on scores on key aspects of the park’s maintenance, including mowing of lawns, pruning trees, cleaning of walkways, cleaning toilets, keeping the children’s play area clean and safe, rainwater harvesting, Including taking care of the fountain. Bench and lights.
Once residents complain of poor maintenance of the parks along with photos or videos of the damaged infrastructure, the corporation will penalize the contractor, reducing the amount paid to the contractor. Any delay in restoration of dry patches of grass in the park may also be reported to the Chennai Corporation.