HC asks civic bodies to file reports on status of kids' parks

The Delhi High Court today took a strong note of non-filing of reports by civic agencies on the status of children's parks and the work done by them to repair and maintain amusement facilities there to ensure safety of kids.
"Why status report is not filed? The status report, in compliance of the earlier order, shall be filed without fail by May 30," a bench comprising Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw said.
Senior advocate Nidesh Gupta, who was appointed as amicus curiae to assist the court, today filed pictures depicting poor upkeep and facilities in parks in the city.

"Some facilities in parks are like death traps. Almost all the swings, slides and other facilities are in pathetic condition. In some of them, nails are coming out," he said.
The lawyer, in pursuance of the court's direction, himself visited the parks at various places including Vasant Vihar, Vasant Kunj, Greater Kailash and India Gate.
The court has now posted the matter for hearing on July 9.

It had earlier taken suo motu cognisance of a letter written by Supreme Court judge Justice Kurian Joseph highlighting poor conditions of children's parks and had issued notices to civic agencies including three branches of erstwhile MCD, NDMC, DDA, PWD and Delhi Cantonment Board.

It had asked them to file a status report, with pictures, within two weeks about the children parks being run by them.
It had specifically asked New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) to take urgent steps to repair and maintain facilities at India Gate children park and the Lake park at Sarojini Nagar here within two weeks.
Besides these two parks, which were mentioned by Justice Joseph in his letter, the court expanded the scope of the PIL by including all children's parks in Delhi and asked the agencies to give details regarding the number of such parks and their proposed action plan to upgrade, maintain and repair facilities there.

It had asked the civic agencies to ensure that amusement facilities in all children's parks are repaired and maintained to ensure safety of children.