Chennai Corporation removed over 250 tons of waste from parks, residents seek better surveillance system

Greater Chennai Corporation removes 255.98 tons of waste from parks, focuses on cleaning and maintenance, increases surveillance, and plans for monsoon.

Greater Chennai Corporation removed a total of 255.98 tons of waste including 207.87 metric tons of garden waste, 207.87 metric tons of garden waste and 48.11 metric tons of garbage during an intensive cleaning drive across 871 parks on Friday from 6 a.m. to 12 p.m. by 3,300 workers with 892 machinery. Mayor R. Priya, with Commissioner J. Kumaragurubaran and other officials, inspected the cleaning and maintenance work at Sivan Park, Kodambakkam Zone (X), and inaugurated a library there for public use.

The Corporation maintains 165 parks, 88 parks adopted by other departments, two parks through Chennai Metro Rail, and the maintenance of 616 parks has been outsourced.

Speaking to reporters, the Mayor said, “As part of the cleaning drive, weeds, garbage, and construction debris were removed. Additionally, damaged walkways, boundary walls, playground equipment, fitness equipment, and toilets were also assessed.”

Meanwhile, a few residents suggested increasing surveillance in parks.

Former Indian hockey captain Vasudevan Baskaran claimed that the park in Kalakshetra Colony in Besant Nagar, which has been closed since the COVID-19-induced lockdown in 2020 did not undergo cleaning work on Friday and that the equipment and pathway inside needed urgent repair. “There is a CCTV camera placed next to the park’s gate, but it is doubtful if it is in working condition. There need to be cameras inside the park as there is suspicion of illegal activities taking place inside the arena,” he alleged.

Similarly in Perambur, V. Murali, 65, a retired police department employee, claimed that there are anti-social activities taking place near and probably inside the Murasoli Park under the flyover which can be curbed if surveillance is increased. “The neglected park was cleaned [on Friday] after several months. Residents propose transforming it into a “Traffic Park” in collaboration with the Greater Chennai Police, Tamil Nadu Science and Technology Centre, and the state government to promote road safety education,” he recommended.

A senior official in the Parks Department stated that as of now, CCTV cameras were fixed by the Electrical Department of the Corporation in roughly over 50 parks with heavy footfall. “Proposals for more can be submitted. Watchmen will be assigned to all 871 parks. The Superintending Engineer and four experts from the Department of Horticulture are looking into planting more native plant varieties as well,” he added.