GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran says that since some aided schools have expressed difficulty in paying the charges, students are allowed to use the playgrounds during P.T. hours.
| Photo Credit: B. JOTHI RAMALINGAM
A number of government-aided schools in the central business district of George Town do not have a playground and depend on the Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) playgrounds for sports activities in the congested neighbourhood.
The decision by the GCC to collect charges from government-aided schools for access to its playgrounds during school hours has led to disruption of sports activities in these schools during this academic year, sources said.
A few years ago, the Corporation decided to increase charges for schools that use the modernised playgrounds. For instance, the charges for higher secondary schools were increased from ₹1 lakh to ₹2.09 lakh. The charges for private schools were increased from ₹5 lakh to ₹10.45 lakh.
Students who prepare for sports events this academic year are likely to lose access to the facilities if the Chennai Corporation Council refuses to accept the demand of schools to waive the charges.
The GCC has demanded payment in revised charges for playground access from each of the 19 schools in the vicinity of Rajasthan Playground, which is maintained by the Corporation on Annapillai Street in George Town.
GCC Commissioner G.S. Sameeran said: “We will not restrict access to school children using our playgrounds. But user charges will be collected from private and aided schools as per Council resolution. Some of the aided schools have expressed difficulty in paying the user charges since they cater to poor children and fees are not being collected by them. In such cases, we are taking a liberal view by allowing the students to use the grounds during P.T. hours.” However, the Corporation Council is yet to take a decision on waiver of charges.
Published – July 05, 2026 05:00 am IST
