In another step to expand the city’s green cover, the Delhi government is considering revising the financial assistance provided for parks and gardens across the national capital and encouraging community participation for the cause.
The proposed increase in financial aid seeks to enhance the quality, maintenance, and long-term preservation of the city’s green spaces, disbursed through the Delhi Parks and Gardens Society to the Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), and registered societies.
Chief Minister Rekha Gupta said the initiative will not only expand the green cover but also contribute to pollution control, leading to a positive improvement in the overall urban environment.
Acknowledging rising costs and higher labour wages, the government has proposed increasing annual maintenance assistance from Rs 2.55 lakh per acre to Rs 3.8 lakh per acre, according to officials, who added that this will help ensure better cleanliness, irrigation and preservation of greenery.
The existing 90:10 cost-sharing model is likely to be scrapped, with the government proposing to fully fund eligible projects.
Under the current system, organisations contribute 10 per cent of the total cost, which has often discouraged smaller groups with limited resources from participating.
The proposed shift to 100 per cent funding is expected to widen participation and allow more RWAs and local bodies to take part without financial constraints, leading to better upkeep and development of a larger number of parks.
The plan includes raising one-time financial assistance for the development of new parks from Rs 1 lakh per acre to Rs 2.9 lakh per acre, seen as an important step amid rapid urbanisation, especially for newly developed colonies and also the densely populated areas with limited green spaces.
Notably, well-planned parks not only enhance the visual appeal of the area and the overall city but also have a positive impact on people.
To an extent, having lush green parks also helps maintain temperature amid summers.
The administration is also considering one-time grants for improvement of the existing parks, and as per the requests from RWAs and societies, assistance of up to Rs 2.5 lakh per acre may be provided for facilities such as display boards, dustbins and UPVC irrigation pipelines.