RWAs to Reassume Responsibility; 1,315 Parks Earlier Managed by 222 Associations

Correspondent: Deepak Sagar
New Delhi

After nearly four years, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has decided to revive its Resident Welfare Association (RWA)-led park maintenance scheme amid growing concerns over deteriorating green spaces across the capital.
The civic body plans to reintroduce the initiative under an integrated Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model, aiming to improve upkeep through community participation.


Key Features of the Revived Scheme
RWAs and registered NGOs can adopt parks in their respective areas.


Financial assistance of ₹13,500 per acre will be provided to RWAs.


Support for initiatives such as composting green waste will be included.


Regular monitoring will be carried out by MCD officials.
The proposal will be placed before the Standing Committee for approval.
Why the Scheme Was Halted
The scheme was suspended in 2022 due to a severe financial crunch faced by the MCD.
Outstanding dues reportedly reached ₹16 crore.
Around ₹9–10 crore was pending in Rohini, Keshavpuram, and Narela zones.
Payment delays led several RWAs to express reluctance in continuing participation.


Officials now confirm that the finance department has cleared most pending payments and is seeking confirmation from RWAs regarding dues received and willingness to rejoin the scheme.


Earlier Impact
When first launched nearly a decade ago:
222 RWAs adopted 1,315 parks.


The initiative significantly enhanced community involvement.
Several neighborhoods witnessed visible improvement in park conditions.
Separate Plan for Large Parks
Sources indicate that the MCD is also considering assigning parks larger than three acres to private agencies. This step is being explored due to staff shortages and limited civic resources.


Why This Initiative Matters
Promotes urban greenery and cleanliness.


Encourages direct community participation.


Enhances transparency and accountability in maintenance.


Reduces financial and administrative burden on the MCD.
The civic body believes that renewed collaboration with residents will help restore neglected parks and strengthen Delhi’s vision of becoming a cleaner and greener capital.


All eyes are now on how effectively the restructured model performs under the new framework.