New life for parks in Thiruvananthapuram city through private tie-up
Thiruvananthapuram: The city corporation is in the final stages of selecting private partners to manage and maintain major parks in the capital. Earlier, the civic body had invited expressions of interest (EOI) from private agencies for the upkeep and operation of key parks, including
Captain Lakshmi Park
and Sree Chitra Thirunal Park.
The EOI sought competent agencies capable not only of maintaining these public spaces but also of operating revenue-generating facilities such as cafeterias and kiosks. Sources said that an initial round of discussions has already been held with interested agencies, and the final selection will be made during the upcoming council meeting.
The initiative is part of a broader push to improve the quality and maintenance of public spaces through sustainable public-private partnerships. According to corporation officials, selected partners will be responsible for routine cleaning, landscaping, lighting, security, and overall infrastructure maintenance. In return, they will be allowed to run small businesses—such as refreshment counters and souvenir stalls—within the park premises. Each park will have a separate private partner.
Corporation secretary Jahamgeer S said the move aims to modernize and improve the management of public amenities. "We want parks to be not only clean and safe but also lively, welcoming places for the public. Collaborating with private agencies will help us bring in expertise, innovation, and better service delivery," he said.
He added that the chosen parks are high-footfall areas with strong community relevance. "Captain Lakshmi Park and Sree Chitra Thirunal Park are important urban spaces. We expect agencies to submit proposals that enhance both the functionality and aesthetics of these areas," Jahamgeer noted.
Interested agencies have been asked to submit their EOIs by the end of the month. Proposals will be evaluated based on prior experience, technical skills, and financial stability. Detailed guidelines and terms of reference will be shared with shortlisted applicants in the next phase.
Officials said the success of this pilot project could lead to the model being expanded to include more parks and public spaces in the future.
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