Rs 13 lakh penalty for poor maintenance of parks in Chennai

CHENNAI: The Greater Chennai Corporation has imposed a total penalty of around Rs 13.68 lakh against contractors, who failed to upkeep city parks as per tender conditions in the past five months.

According to the Chennai Corporation, during field inspections by the parks department, some of the parks were found to be ill-maintained.

"Between April 1 and September 3, as much as Rs. 13.68 lakh has been collected as penalty from contractors, who have been given park maintenance works. In the two weeks between August 19 and September 3, as much as Rs. 1.93 lakh has been imposed as penalty," a Chennai Corporation press release said.

The civic body also warned the contractors of termination if they continue to ill-maintain the parks. Residents' welfare associations can complain about the poor maintenance of parks in their localities to zonal offices, regional deputy commissioner offices as well as to 1913 complaint cell.

As per the tender conditions, the contractors should trim grass and de-weed the parks periodically.

Also, contractors should employ qualified and trained persons to maintain the parks and keep feedback books at the entrances so that the public can point out issues.

Presently, the Chennai Corporation maintains as many as 736 parks across the city. Of the total parks, maintenance of 571 parks has been handed over to private contractors.