In an attempt to tackle maintenance problems plaguing the city’s public toilets, road medians, parks and traffic islands, Chennai Corporation will now use the services of multinational companies (MNCs).
Even though a large number of civic infrastructure works are under way and a number of them have been completed recently, maintenance issues continue to bother the civic body.
The Corporation had taken various initiatives to improve 324 parks and playgrounds in the city. But, inadequate maintenance has been bothering morning walkers in many of the parks.
Currently, their maintenance is carried out by the respective zones of the civic body or private agencies. Under the proposed system, all aspects of maintenance including footpaths, lighting, landscaping, flora and recreational facilities will be the responsibility of the MNC. This is expected to facilitate the use of cutting-edge technology.
As a first step, the Corporation will call for expression of interest from MNCs for comprehensive maintenance of parks, sources said. The shortlisted companies, who are expected to take over the maintenance by next year, will provide the services of a range of professionals.
Based on the response from the companies, the civic body also plans to call for expression of interest from MNCs for comprehensive annual maintenance of public toilets, traffic islands and road medians.
Of the 905 existing toilets across the 15 zones in the city, the civic body recently found only 551 were in good shape, 294 were partially damaged and 60 were completely dilapidated.
Meanwhile, the civic body has planned to use the services of private horticulturists who will grow plants suitable for civic conditions in the neighbourhood. Some parks such as My Lady’s Park in ward 58, Sivan Park in ward 131, Doveton Park in ward 58 and Thirumalai Park in ward 58 are already on the list of parks to be maintained this year under horticulturists’ supervision.
