chittaranjan vatica garden
The Chittaranjan Vatika is a sprawling garden in Pune which is run by the Pune Municipal Corporation. This place is an ideal place for all jaywalkers and joggers. It is a botanical garden that consists of a rich variety of flowers and trees and is completed with a jogging track and a wonderful playground which is designed specifically for kids. The kids’ playground here has traffic signals and various sign boards, which is meant to educate the kids about the traffic rules. This garden also has an art gallery which is quite popular. The natural environment of this botanical garden is clean and beautiful which makes it a perfect place to breathe in fresh air and enjoy some peace and quiet.
The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) is all set to renovate the Model Colony-based Chittaranjan Vatika, one of the oldest and favourite gardens in the city. However, the civic body’s move has not gone down well with the residents, who are of the view that the PMC should keep the sanctity of the garden intact.
Speaking to DNA, executive engineer of the garden department, Yuvraj Deshmukh, said that the PMC also plans to develop a small water body in the garden. Besides, other additions will be a pagoda, renovated 1,500-metre jogging track and a new playground equipment for small children. “We have a plan to renovate the garden to provide maximum facilities to the visitors,” he said.
The department has prepared a master renovation plan with a project cost of Rs89 lakh. According to the plan, two types of jogging track will be developed with soft and hard surface. The new attraction of the garden will be a small water body. The PMC has floated a tender inviting contractors to develop the garden.
However, citizens are not too impressed with the new plan. Jayantrao Mohite, former president of Model Colony Parisar Sudharana Samiti, said, “Chittaranjan Vatika is a Devrai of Model Colony with big indigenous old trees. The garden already has a jogging track and two pagodas. Hence, we think we should not have more development.”
“Instead of pouring in more cement blocks in the garden, the civic body should keep the sanctity of the garden intact by leaving it as it is,” he added.
Neelima Mysore, secretary of the samiti, said, “The garden department of the PMC should take our views into consideration before making any changes in the garden."