The Chennai Corporation will outsource operation and maintenance of playgrounds, collecting charges from users of facilities such as tennis courts, badminton courts and skating rink.
Residents would have to pay ₹2,000 for tennis courts every month, ₹1,000 for badminton and ₹500 for skating. The Corporation expects ₹55 lakh in revenue every year, said an official.
Indoor, outdoor games
The Corporation has identified 62 playgrounds and parks to develop indoor and outdoor games, he added.
Currently, these facilities are available on Corporation land. But some of the facilities are controlled by local resident associations, organisations, individuals, who forcibly take control of the facility by spreading misleading messages, officials said.
“As they also collect fees, the Corporation has received many complaints.” Recently, the issue flared up and came to the notice of the Chief Secretary, said an official.
Sub-standard equipment
Officials at the ward level reported that the associated organisations have installed sub-standard equipment, compromising on public safety.
“It is necessary to have a system. We will call an open tender by drafting proper tender conditions with eligibility criteria to select an agency to maintain the sports facilities by incorporating all safety measures. They will conduct the sporting events as per the norms of the Sports Authority of India and the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu,” said an official.
Eleven tennis courts will be developed in Anna Nagar in parks at three blocks in Shanthi Colony, K block, 12th street, near Bougainville Park, Chinthamani, and Thiru.Vi.Ka playground in Shenoy Nagar.
New tennis courts will be commissioned in Herbal Park and Thiruvengada Nagar Park in Ambattur.
More facilities
Some of the facilities will be developed in Nungambakkam Playground, Lake Area Road, Mandavelipakkam South Canal Road, Valasaravakkam Playground, Tagore Street, Ramakrishna Nagar, R.A Puram, Besant Nagar 32nd cross street, Kotturpuram Playground Nawab Garden, lndra Nagar 9th cross street, AGS colony 2nd Main Road, Kotivakkam, C.B.I Colony Park and Jeyachandra Nagar Park, in Medavakkam.
