In order to utilise vacant plots, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has introduced a pilot project of developing vacant lands into playfields for residential neighbourhoods.
According to a senior DDA official, as many as 15 vacant plots have been identified so far and are being leveled and cleared. “Sports facilities like football goal posts, volleyball poles, etc are being erected and equipments for football, cricket and volleyball are being provided periodically to children free of cost by DDA,” said the official.
Almost all identified plots have been taken up for development and four fields have already been operationalised at Neb Sarai, Maidan Garhi, Paschim Vihar and Dwarka. Another five such playfields in East Delhi at Ghazipur, Mayur Vihar District Centre, Shastri Park and Buland Masji have been operationalised on Wednesday, taking total to nine out of 15. More sites are likely to be identified soon.
“The basic objective of the scheme is that the children of these residential neighbourhoods would be benefitted and would get opportunity to play sports, free of cost as play equipment would also be provided to them by DDA and Most of these vacant plots have wild vegetation and are used for dumping of malba, defecation etc and are prone to encroachment,” said the official.