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TN floats tenders to set up 118-acre eco-park in MRC
Chennai: Nearly 10 months after it took over the 160-acre Madras Race Course campus at Guindy, the govt has floated a 25-crore tender to hire a consultant to prepare a detailed feasibility report (DFR) for an eco-park on 118 acres.
The DFR must be finalised within 10 months of the award of tender. It will have the landscape plan with 3D views and walkthroughs, following which the horticulture department will execute the project. The DFR will also estimate the cost.
Govt sources said they envisaged a forest experience area, flower tunnel, bonsai garden, and glass houses with exotic plants in the eco-park. It will also feature gazebos, footpaths, irrigation, garden illumination, a cafeteria, and a children's play area.
Director of the horticulture department, Kumaravel Pandiyan, said they will start with flower beds soon, followed by the irrigation system. "We have also decided to plant neem, pungam, poovarasu, and venmab trees across the campus," he said.
In Sept 2024, the state revenue department claimed possession of the 160-acre property terminating a 74-year-old lease of Madras Race Club (MRC). Months later, 118 acres, valued at about 4,800 crore, was handed over to the horticulture department for the eco-park.
Despite this, the MRC authorities continued to manage the premises. GCC dug three ponds on the campus but did nothing else.
When TOI visited last week, MRC did not permit entry on the campus. MRC's chief security officer Kennedy said the club only managed the premises and was in "discussions with the govt" about the maintenance. "The ponds too were not maintained. Nobody came here since they were dug, and we are managing it," he said.
The horticulture director said only 118 acres, which comprises the green area, was maintained by the horticulture department. The rest of the campus, including the buildings, was retained by the revenue department.
Despite repeated visits to the Chennai Collectorate, TOI could not meet district revenue officer S Geetha or collector Rashmi Siddarth.
With MRC controlling entry and exit to campus, how will the public access the eco-park? Horticulture department officials said such issues will be resolved in the coming months. "We got possession in Sept only after some resistance. It will be sorted," said V Dakshinamoorthy, horticulture department secretary.
