DDA approves 'adoption of parks' policy

The Delhi Development Authority today approved a policy under which parks having an area of 3 acres and above can be adopted by private developers, corporate houses, NGOs, welfare associations and neighbourhood residents.
The adoption will be through an agreement between DDA and the adopting agency, DDA said.
The agreement will be initially for a period of 5 years, extendable in installments of three years subject to good maintenance and upkeep of the area and it will be at the discretion of the committee monitoring their performance, the agency said.
The decision to approve 'Adoption of DDA Parks' policy was taken in a meeting of the authority held under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor Najeeb Jung at the Raj Niwas today.

In order to make the scheme attractive, DDA has allowed the adopting agency to carry out certain activities so that there can be revenue generation for maintenance and upkeep.
"This includes permission to put up eco-friendly kiosks for selling packed healthy and nutritious food items, newspapers, books, magazine, shops for sale of flower and plants, nursery for sale of seedlings, use of park furniture for branding and publicity purposes," DDA said in a statement.

"Also it will be allowed to put up hoardings at feasible points on the boundary wall for publicity, advertising spaces on public utilities like toilets etc and to organise flower shows. The adopting agency will have right to lease the shops and kiosks," it said.

The agency will have to ensure upkeep of civil, electrical, horticultural and public utilities in the park.
The agreement for adoption can be terminated by giving a one-month notice in case the feedback from the public, specially walkers association, is not favourable.
The upkeep of the park would be reviewed twice a year through a third party or through an independent agency.
Incentives will also be given to agencies maintaining parks in a good condition by way of extension of period of adoption and by organising zone-wise competitions among various adopting agency, it said.
The ownership control, possession and supervision of the parks shall remain with DDA only.

The LG also directed that the agreement should be carefully drafted with proper exit policy and the turnover of the adopting agency should be an indicator for allowing the size of the park to be adopted.
Initially the number of parks for adoption will be limited to 25 to 30 and depending upon the success of the scheme, many more parks will be included in this scheme, DDA said.