MCD Revives Community-Driven Park Initiative with New RWA Policy

The MCD standing committee proposes a unified policy enabling Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) to manage parks via Public Private Partnership. This addresses the challenges of park maintenance and manpower shortages, offering financial aid and free compost. Eligibility criteria include registration under the Societies Act and a functional bank account.

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is revamping policy efforts to involve Resident Welfare Associations (RWAs) in park maintenance through a public-private partnership framework. Officials announced on Friday that the initiative aims to tackle existing issues of upkeep and manpower shortages in the city's green spaces.

Under this renewed scheme, RWAs would utilize their manpower to maintain the parks, with the horticulture department providing financial support and free compost. Currently, the department oversees over 15,000 parks, but faces challenges due to a shortage of gardeners. The new policy recommends Rs 13,500 per acre monthly for maintenance across all 12 MCD zones.

To be eligible, RWAs must be registered under the Societies Act, have a functional bank account, and submit audited financials. Planning to present the proposal at an upcoming meeting, officials also aim to address healthcare and property tax-related matters. The policy first introduced over a decade ago was halted in 2022 due to budget issues.