The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to collaborate with large commercial units, private industries, and realtors to improve the maintenance of parks in residential areas. This decision, discussed during a recent corporation meeting, aims to address complaints of poor park maintenance. As part of their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, realtors, hoteliers, and leading business units will be asked to manage parks in different areas.
A standard operating procedure (SOP) is being drafted and will be presented to the environment standing committee and corporation meeting for approval. Existing agreements with residential welfare associations (RWAs) and self-help groups (SHGs) managing parks will be extended until the end of the year. The BMC currently pays maintenance fees to these groups, but with the growing number of parks, the budget has increased significantly.
The BMC has 151 parks under its control, and the budget for maintenance has risen from Rs 1.28 crore in 2022-23 to Rs 4 crore in the last fiscal year. The initiative aims to ensure effective maintenance of local parks with support from real estate firms and large business units.
Image Courtesy: The New Indian Express
