Residents left waiting for ₹80 lakh Kothrud garden expected to be finished in June 2017

According to residents, the 0.75 acre garden behind Eklavya college, Kothrud, has not been inaugurated despite work being initiated in November 2016, due to delay in completion of work.

The Rajmata Jijau Masaheb Garden, whose construction began in November 2016, is yet to be thrown open to public.

Rajmata Jijau Masaheb garden near Shivnagari society behind Eklavya college on Wednesday. (Ravindra Joshi/HT PHOTO)

According to residents, the 0.75 acre garden behind Eklavya college, Kothrud, has not been inaugurated despite being initiated in November 2016, due to delay in completion of work.

Swapnil Marathe, a resident of Mahatma society, said, “The Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) came up with the project to beautify the areas and provide recreational space for residents, and a play area for children. However, it has been over a year now, but the garden is still not complete. PMC should immediately complete and inaugurate the garden.”

From the last six months, we have been told that the garden will be inaugurated soon, but PMC has managed to not inaugurate it even this summer. If PMC is not able to keep up with the deadline for developing a garden, what would happen while constructing bridges and flyovers?” said Meghana Shelke, .

Ashok Ghorpade, chief garden superintendent of PMC, said, "The garden is almost complete. Important features of the garden include beautiful lawns and flower beds; children activity centre has also been installed. Now, we are waiting for a permanent water solution to water the garden plants. Also, it needs to be inaugurated by dignitaries, we have been waiting to finalise the names of the dignitaries and a day.