CDA needs to pay attention to parks, playgrounds

Lack of funds for renovation and maintenance cause for state of affairs says CDA official

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) seems to have adopted an apathetic and irresponsible attitude with regard to renovation and maintenance of public parks and playgrounds falling within its parameters.



The authority needs to pay due attention to the playgrounds and public parks in the federal capital which are in a dilapidated state with conditions worsening with each passing day.

Islamabad has a total of 175 public parks and play grounds in the capital for which CDA has a total of 1,200 technical and non-technical staff to keep them clean. Speaking to the media a resident of Sector G-7 Nawaz Khan remarked “ Public parks in majority of the sectors including G-7, I-9, I-G-8, F-6 and F-8, are in an extremely poor condition with broken benches, lights, swings and walking tracks.

Finding a public toilet in the parks has always been a difficult task for people. Even if toilets exist, they are in a deplorable and unhygienic condition, always short of water , and non-functioning of the flush systems.



Umar Hayat, a regular visitor at F-9 Park said, "Most of playgrounds in the parks are in an appalling condition in the capital. The area is covered by greenery which is decaying due to the lack of interest of CDA officials. The facility of clean drinking water is also missing in most parks."  Meanwhile, the visitors are often fleeced by sellers who charge them exorbitantly for soft drinks and edibles. "The price of a cup of tea is Rs30 in most of the parks besides high entry, parking fees".Amir Chohan, a resident of F-11/1 said, "The swings and other playing facilities installed at a park near his home are broken and in a derelict condition from a long time posing a threat to children. There seems to be no one from CDA to have them replaced or repaired "When contacted Member Environment, CDA, Mustafain Kazmi said, "The capital has largest number and state-of-the-art parks.

However, the allocation of funds is insufficient for renovation and provision of the required facilities."

Moreover, the citizens also do not take ownership for utilising the facility properly and maintaining the quality of instruments installed in the parks, he said.  

Published in The Express Tribune, July 3^rd, 2018.