The parks will be handed over in phases. “In the first phase, expression of interest (EOI) has been invited for 24 parks,” LDA Chief Engineer S N Tripathi said.

The companies have been asked to submit the proposals by February 16. He added that licenses will be issued to the firms in this connection.

The cost of maintenance and upgradation will be borne by the private players. To recover its expenditure, the firms will be allowed to charge entry tax, erect advertisement hoardings, open food plaza and run parking lots at the parks.

Tripathi hoped that private firms will do a better job than the LDA in maintaining the parks. Besides, it will save the money LDA spends on parks every year.

LDA Vice-Chairman Mukesh Kumar Meshram said: “Over 125 parks have been identified that will be beautified and upgraded in the next few months.” Among the parks selected to be handed over in first phase were Rumi Park, Gautam Buddha Park, Shaheed Smarak, Patel Park, Amausi Airport crossing park, CSI lawn and Joggers Park.

The remaining parks will be handed over to private companies in the next phase. These include 33 parks under the Kanpur Road scheme, 16 in Gomti Nagar Extension, 17 in Jankipuram Extension and 35 in Gomti Nagar.

Meshram said as part of the beautification programme, grass area, landscape nurseries, trees and plants, toilets blocks, ticket counters, parking area and gates, pathways, open shades, water bodies, fountains, lighting fixtures will be provided at the parks. For children, swings will be put up.

The LDA has invited separate EOIs for the maintenance of Ram Manohar Lohia Park in Gomti Nagar — the largest park in Lucknow.