UrbanGreening – Delhi Revives Park Maintenance Scheme With RWA Support
UrbanGreening – The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has reintroduced a financial assistance scheme aimed at improving the maintenance of public parks by involving resident welfare associations (RWAs). The initiative seeks to address the ongoing shortage of gardeners across the capital while encouraging community participation in maintaining green spaces.
Financial Support Structure for RWAs
Under the revived plan, RWAs will receive ₹13,500 per acre to hire gardeners for park maintenance. This approach follows a public-private partnership model, allowing local communities to take an active role in managing neighborhood parks. The scheme was initially launched before the unification of Delhi’s three municipal corporations in 2022 and has now been brought back with a standardized financial framework.
Officials explained that earlier, different municipal bodies followed varying funding patterns. The current structure adopts the highest previously offered rate, ensuring uniformity and improved support for RWAs across all zones.
Additional Support Through Compost Supply
In addition to financial aid, the MCD will provide compost free of cost to participating RWAs. This compost will be sourced from the corporation’s green waste management facilities, helping improve soil quality and reduce waste simultaneously.
RWAs will begin receiving payments three months after completing registration. The civic body plans to release payments cumulatively for each quarter, calculated on a per-acre basis.
Monitoring and Verification Mechanism
To ensure accountability, a zonal-level monitoring committee will oversee the work carried out under the scheme. RWAs will be required to upload photographs of the parks after the initial three-month period to demonstrate progress.
Officials noted that continued financial assistance will depend on verification of the work. Once supervisors confirm satisfactory maintenance, RWAs will remain eligible for ongoing support under the scheme.
Scale of Park Maintenance in Delhi
The MCD is responsible for maintaining 15,320 parks spread across 12 zones, covering nearly 5,200 acres of land. Despite this vast network of green spaces, manpower shortages have remained a persistent concern.
As of March 2026, the corporation employs 911 regular gardeners. In addition, 814 individuals have been appointed under a welfare initiative that provides contractual employment to family members of deceased gardeners. The civic body has also outsourced services of 2,355 gardeners to bridge the gap.
Persistent Shortage of Gardeners
According to guidelines from the Central Public Works Department, one gardener is required for every 1.35 acres of parkland. However, the current workforce falls short of meeting this standard, leading to visible deterioration in several parks.
Residents and local representatives have repeatedly raised concerns about poorly maintained green spaces. In some areas, overgrown grass and neglected infrastructure have become common complaints. A local official from Mayur Vihar Phase-I highlighted that only a handful of gardeners are responsible for maintaining hundreds of parks, making proper upkeep difficult.
Community Participation as a Practical Solution
The revived scheme is expected to ease pressure on municipal resources while improving the condition of parks through local involvement. By empowering RWAs with financial assistance and resources, the MCD aims to create a more sustainable and responsive maintenance system.
If implemented effectively, the initiative could enhance the quality of public spaces, promote environmental awareness, and encourage residents to take ownership of their surroundings.