Pune polls 2012: Gardens galore, but parties silent on upkeep

Though the number of gardens in the city has crossed the 100-mark in last five years, many of them are plagued by lack of maintenance and security. Although political parties talk of more innovative gardens, they do not have much to say about what efforts will be made to address these issues. 

According to the garden department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC), there are 111 gardens in the city. Of these, 15 to 20 gardens were inaugurated in the last two months, obviously inspired by the upcoming civic polls. 

The PMC budget for 2011-12 allotted Rs26 crore for the gardens and includes maintenance. However, the department was unable to provide details of the expenditure when contacted. 

The city also has variety where gardens are concerned. Projects initiated in the last five years include a butterfly garden in Sahakarnagar and a Mughal garden on Sinhagad Road. On the cards are theme parks like a palm park at Yerawada and a blind garden at Koregaon Park. The latter project is based on a garden for the visually handicapped in Bremen, Germany. 

Political parties are talking about more gardens on various themes. But there is no word about what would be done to ensure they are looked after. Many existing gardens are in a neglected state. The gardens meant for families are being avoided by people because of the nuisance caused by couples and drunkards. The gardens also suffer from poor maintenance. The see-saws, swings and slides in many gardens are out of use. Recreation and meditation centres are not active. 


The garden department claims they have posted security personnel at all gardens. 

The Sarasbaug garden is a favourite with many children. Amol Jojare, who often takes his three-year-old daughter to the garden said, “Many times, I see liquor bottles lying around in the garden. The indecent behaviour of couples is a reason that I have to avoid going to some parts of the garden with my daughter. Besides, the tank should be cleaned more frequently as it stinks badly. Do the political parties have this on their agendas?” 

The Sarasbaug Ganpati temple trust said there is only one security guard for the garden. 

The Model Colony lake garden and the Sharad Pawar garden in Kondhwa Khurd are other instances of lack of attention. The PMC people concentrate on keeping the plants green. They have not considered the security of the birds and amphibians in the water body, according to members of the Model Colony Youth Club.

The Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) has promised to develop more facilities in the gardens like toilets, drinking water and first aid, but does not say anything about security. However they feel that setting up a committee that includes local people for each garden may help to address the issue.