Thanks to the overdone beautification and green initiatives of the Municipal Corporation of Chandigarh (MCC), the kids in the City Beautiful are finding it difficult to find a place to play.
The children have no place to play outdoor games in the city. In last few years, the MCC has converted a large number of playgrounds into parks, shrinking the space for playing.
Even as proposals were mooted several times to earmark a playground in every sector for the children, the MCC is yet to finalize the plans.
In the past, the area councillors have also taken up the issue and also submitted the proposal to earmark space for playgrounds in the sectors.
“Around three months back, we had submitted a proposal for developing playgrounds to the MCC but due to unspecified and lack of space in sectors, the proposal is still not finalized,” said Saurabh Joshi, area councillor of ward 12, 14 and 15.
“I had a conversation with Principal of DPS School regarding permitting the children to play in school ground. Hopefully, the school administration will help in the issue,” said Joshi.
It is also observed that while playing outdoor games is prohibited in MCC parks, the same parks are being used as parking space in some areas.
Reacting on the issue, Hira Negi, area councillor, Sector 46, 32 said, “The matter is serious. The parks are not a place to play outdoor games, and in the same way, the parks can not be used for parking.”
Meanwhile, with no neighbourhood playground in their sectors, the kids feel that injustice has been done by the higher authorities as all the playgrounds have been converted into parks.
Ayush Sharma, a student of Class V, Baptist School, Sector 45 said, “During school hours, it is difficult for us to play and in evening times, we are not allowed to play in parks. This is injustice with us.”
The parents also shared their concerns over the lack of playgrounds for their children. Nina Sharma, mother of two young kids said, “We parents are helpless for our kids. We force our children to go outside and play outdoor games as outdoor activities are essential for their growth. We cannot allow them to sit in home in front of TV or play computer games all the time. But again, kids have no place to play here.”
“Playgrounds provide good environment for children outside home. Outdoor games are beneficial in kid’s growth. But, the neighbourhood playgrounds are hard to find here,” said Ranjita Anand, mother and IT professional, Sector 15.
Some citizens shared their concern over the children playing in the parks instead of playing in playgrounds. Sulkasha Chauhan, 55 years old resident of Sector 45 said, “We are scared when kids they play cricket and football in the parks. The ball can hit anyone and parks are not a place to play.”
But what do the kids doIJ MCC hardly has the answers