Delhi’s Municipal Corporation Plans Outsourcing for Park Maintenance

The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is set to address a significant staffing shortage by outsourcing the maintenance of its parks and gardens. Currently, the MCD faces a vacancy rate of nearly 67.8% among its gardeners, with only 2,070 of the 6,433 sanctioned positions filled. This move aims to enhance the upkeep of more than 15,000 parks across the city, covering an area of over 5,172 acres.

In response to the ongoing manpower crisis, the MCD plans to hire a private agency for a two-year contract, which is expected to cost approximately ₹143 crore. The municipal commissioner has submitted a proposal to the house of councillors, hoping to streamline the hiring process and improve maintenance efforts. A senior municipal official noted the current piecemeal hiring approach requires repeated approvals, leading to disruptions in upkeep.

Staffing Challenges and Maintenance Issues

The staffing challenges have had a detrimental impact on park maintenance. The MCD data reveals that the shortage of gardeners has resulted in poor upkeep of green spaces, prompting criticism from various stakeholders. The civic body has acknowledged that the current situation is “assuming alarming levels,” with maintenance suffering due to the high vacancy rate.

In addition to the gardener shortage, the MCD operates with only 26 available drivers for 98 vehicles designated for park-related tasks, such as tree ambulances and water tankers. All three positions for technical assistants remain vacant, further complicating maintenance efforts. The MCD has resorted to hiring contractual gardeners for brief periods, which has led to inconsistent maintenance.

Atul Goyal, president of the United Residents Joint Act (URJA), representing over 2,500 resident welfare associations (RWAs), criticized the bureaucratic processes that hinder effective park management. Goyal stated that RWAs are increasingly reluctant to engage in public-private partnerships (PPP) due to difficulties in accessing annual support funds. He emphasized the need for clear monitoring and oversight in any outsourcing arrangement, suggesting that local RWAs should certify the work performed by private staff.

Plans for Future Maintenance

The MCD’s proposal also includes plans to outsource the maintenance of larger parks, specifically those exceeding three acres. Under a pilot project, the maintenance of municipal parks in the Karol Bagh zone will be outsourced with a budget of ₹3.6 crore. This initiative is expected to include comprehensive services such as gardening, cleaning, and waste management.

The MCD has established a public-private partnership scheme with RWAs, providing financial support for park maintenance. Approximately 292.6 acres of parks are managed under this model, while another 414.5 acres receive maintenance through the Delhi Parks and Gardens Society (DPGS). The DPGS, under the environment department of the Delhi government, offers financial assistance of ₹2.55 lakh per acre for park maintenance.

Despite previous attempts at privatizing waste collection, the results have been mixed. While mechanization of secondary waste collection has improved, challenges remain with door-to-door waste collection across the city.

The MCD is hopeful that outsourcing park maintenance will alleviate the current staffing crisis and enhance the quality of green spaces for residents. As the proposal moves forward, the corporation aims to ensure that the management of parks meets the expectations of the public and stakeholders alike.