The Greater Chennai Corporation has decided to restore the original timings of the parks in the city – from 5 am to 9 pm
The decision follows the intervention of the Tamil Nadu Information Commission which acted on an RTI petition, which sought to know why the parks were being closed between 11 am and 4 pm. In his petition to the corporation, M. Vinod Kumar of Manali New Town wanted to know. Provisions under which parks including children’s play areas were closed between 11 am and 4 pm
Not satisfied with the replies of the Public Information Officer and the First Appellate Authority, he approached TNIC. State Information Commissioner S. Muthuraj, passing the order on April 6 after hearing both the sides, said that in the recent past several petitions on closure of public parks had been received by the commission.
Most of the city’s 525 public parks were closed between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. This could be due to the COVID-19 restrictions, he said and added that the timing of the parks Any change should be decided in Corporation council and not employees.
Mr Muthuraja said that the parks would serve this purpose better and would help those wishing to relax during the scorching heat if they remain open during the day.
Taking cognizance of the TNIC order, the Deputy Commissioner of GCC on April 12 wrote to the concerned authorities that the parks, which were closed for some time during the day due to COVID-19 restrictions, should now be opened from 5 am to 9 pm .