Date:02/12/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/12/02/stories/2007120254020400.htm

New Delhi

NDMC to mechanise horticulture department in phases

Staff Reporter

First phase of the scheme to extend up to August 31, 2008

Rs.2.17 crore sanctioned for the first phase; action plan drafted for maintenance of 980 parks
Regular workshops, provision of necessary machinery and plants to strengthen department

NEW DELHI: To improve the quality of its work and its efficiency, the New Delhi Municipal Council is embarking on a phased mechanisation of its Horticulture Department.

Cleared by the civic body this past week, the work has been planned in two phases -- the first up to August 31, 2008 and the second up to August 31, 2009. The NDMC has sanctioned Rs.2.17 crore for the first phase.

Clustering approach for parks

To strengthen the department, the NDMC has planned regular training and workshops for its staff besides providing necessary machinery, basic tools and plants. The department will follow a “clustering approach” where parks would be grouped in small independent functional units with necessary machinery and tools. These will be made available to the lowest supervisory level for better execution of horticultural works.

The action plan has also been drafted keeping in mind the resource and manpower requirements for maintenance and improvement of around 980 parks and 30 colonies whose responsibility was transferred from the Central Public Works Department to the NDMC in April.

“Earlier we were maintaining about 125 parks in the NDMC areas, but now we will be maintaining parks in Central Government colonies as well,” said a senior NDMC official.

The areas covered by the action plan include Kaka Nagar, Bapa Nagar, Kidwai Nagar, Moti Bagh and Chanakyapuri.

The NDMC has also provided administrative approval and sanctioned Rs.4.86 crore towards upkeep and improvement of the CPWD colony parks, Shanti Path, South Avenue and North Avenue for a period of one year up to July 2008.

In joint partnership with public

The Horticulture Department proposes to maintain these parks by engaging the NDMC staff and private contractors as well through joint partnerships with willing residents’ welfare associations.

The civic body has also recommended applying for Central funds keeping in view the ownership of these parks by the CPWD.