Mohali green belts covered with neglect

MOHALI: One look at the parks and green belts in Mohali and you know why the city is considered to be the ‘poor cousin’ of Chandigarh.
Keeping in mind the importance of greenery, the planners here had earmarked sufficient open spaces for green belts and parks. But then, the maintenance bit was ignored. Most of these places are in a pitiable condition, with the initial phases worse than the new sectors.A case in point is the green belt in Phase I along the road dividing the Industrial Area from Phase 5. The maintenance here is the responsibility of Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority’s (PUDA) Mohali zonal office.
Cement walking tracks, cast iron seats and ornamental fittings have been provided, but then the poor condition of the park deters the visitors.
Tall grass and weeds in the flower beds speak of the neglect by PUDA’s horticulture wing. “I used to come here for my morning and evening walks, but have stopped since the last month. Now, I go to the Rose Garden,� said a senior resident of Phase 5, Tarlochan Singh. The story of the green space in front of the Phase 3-B2 market is no different. The uncut grass has even covered the benches.
The responsibility of maintaining the green areas has been divided between the PUDA and Municipal Council (MC). The MC looks after three big parks - Silvi Park, Rose Garden and the Bougainvillea Garden and eight other small parks. Rest of the green belts and parks are under the PUDA’s horticulture wing.
If any of the parks in front of houses are well maintained, its all because the residents welfare associations have made the efforts. MC executive officer Bhagwant Garg said the MC had maintained the parks, even though they had a skeleton staff.
There had been moves by the MC to take over the maintenance work from PUDA. Garg said the issue had been discussed at a few meetings, but nothing concrete was concluded.
PUDA officials said the horticulture wing had been carrying out regular maintenance work. About the poor condition of the parks, they blamed it on the weather. “Grass grows faster during the rainy season,� said officials.
Highlights
• A green belt is Phase I in a state of neglect
• In the open space outside Phase 3B-2 market weeds and tall grass have covered the benches
• Maintenance work divided between MC, PUDA horticulture wing