Chennai parks getting upgraded for summer

As summer has hit Chennai and schools and colleges are closed for summer vacation, parks and playgrounds in the city will get busy amidst the heatwaves. In view of this, the Greater Chennai Corporation has plans to construct 150 more public parks and playgrounds in the city to beat the summer.

The corporation also plans to upgrade nearly 150 parks in the city. As part of the project, it is going to add more benches and play equipment in those public parks. Commissioner Gagandeep Singh Bedi instructed the regional civic officials to supervise all the upgrading processes in the selected parks.

Regional Deputy Commissioners and regional civic officials in Chennai have been briefed about the upgrade. The corporation bought saplings exclusively from Andhra Pradesh to increase the greenery around the city. The native saplings are nearly 10-feet high.

The officials are planting these saplings in selected parks around the city. The Commissioner ordered the regional officials of every zone to choose and submit information on 10 parks and playgrounds in their respective zones.

A corporation official said, "We are planning to upgrade the parks for the benefit of the public to get fresh air in the summer. Only during the summer, people gather around public parks. So we are enhancing the greenery around Marina Beach parks. Further, painting the walls of the parks beautifully, constructing garden paths, quality benches and landscaping aesthetically around the parks."

Tamil Nadu Minister for Municipal Administration, Urban and Water Supply K.N. Nehru said, "The government selected empty plots that belong to the Corporation around the city to construct new public parks. In a few public parks, we are also installing gym equipment for the benefit of the people."

"The speciality of Chennai parks is all the parks are easily accessible and convenient to physically-challenged people too. All the parks that are about to get constructed will have more natural greenery and fewer concrete spaces. Even during the rainy season, the parks will be more visually pleasant," he added.

Former Councillor Tamizhselvan said, "The corporation identified lands to construct new parks. People in my region had already submitted their petitions to the government for new parks and playgrounds. As per the new announcement, in my zone - Mint region and Perambur Bridge region - will get an upgrade in their parks and playgrounds."

Only a few wards are there in Chennai without any entertaining public spots. A few apartment residents complain that there aren't any parks exclusively for children in their areas. Some petitioned the corporation office to ensure the safety of children visiting public parks.

Councillor T.V. Semmozhi said, "The corporation planned to construct many public parks in my ward. There is also a plan to construct badminton courts soon in my ward. The corporation's budget for FY 2023-24 allotted ₹36.46 crore to construct 141 parks and ₹16.33 crore to construct 51 playgrounds under the 'Singara Chennai 2.0' scheme."

Greater Chennai Corporation is implementing various schemes to modernise the city. Under the 'Singara Chennai 2.0' scheme, the budget for FY 2023-24 allotted a separate budget to construct more public parks and playgrounds. The budget also ensured that the Corporation should spend at least ₹30 crore for the entertainment features around the city.

There are nearly 200 wards in Chennai city. The Commissioner ordered the ward officials to select plots and devise a budget for their respective wards around the city. The public can put out their queries or need for parks and playgrounds over the helpline number 1913.