Pune civic body to develop 35 parks in 2 yrs

The garden department of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has launched a major drive to develop 35 new parks in the city in two years. PMC is also co-opting the city's corporates to raise part of the required fund.

Yashwant S Khaire, PMC's chief garden superintendent, told Business Standard that the corporates will be involved in developing, maintaining and commercially operating these gardens. Khaire said there are plans to invite private sector participation in road beautification as well.

The garden department has received good response from corporates in the city. "Many companies from Pune and surrounding areas have approached us for looking after the day-to-day maintenance of different parks and gardens in the city. Some of these companies are keen on investing in garden development and road beautification projects," Khaire said.

He added that Deepak Fertilizers and Petrochemicals has undertaken a beautification project at Sinhagad Road, while Rotary Club of Chatushrungi has submitted a proposal of Rs 10 lakh for canal beautification at Senapati Bapat Road.

"The Maharashtra Energy Development Agency (MEDA) is also providing us help for developing an energy park in the city," Khaire said.

According to him, the Poonawala group has earlier invested Rs 50 lakh for the development of Salisbury Park and is taking care of its maintenance. Kalyani Steel has 'adopted' the Kamala Nehru Park for maintenance while the Kinetic Motor group has agreed to look after the Firodia Udyan on the Pune University Road.

Rotary Club has undertaken the maintenance of the jogging track near Bund Garden. Many companies have also undertaken development and maintenance work of dividers and traffic islands and signals.

"These experiences have encouraged us to extend the scheme and invite more companies to participate in the city's beautification efforts. We have created three options - total outlet sponsorship, development and maintenance work and commercial benefit. Under the first option, we offer the interested firms the entire responsibility "� right from developing land for a park to its completion. In the second option, PMC develops the garden or park while maintenance responsibility is handed over to a company. In return, under both these options, corporates get the naming right for the park. In the third option, a company invests in developing a park and also takes responsibility for its maintenance. In return, it gets permission from PMC to collect entry fee from visitors," Khaire explained.

Most of the companies undertake maintenance work as part of their corporate social responsibility, without any commercial intention, he said.