Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has announced plans to develop 75 gardens across the city, but one of its existing gardens in Mominpura presents a picture of neglect. Overgrown bushes, filth and poorly maintained facilities make the civic amenity virtually unusable for residents.A TOI visit to the garden revealed overgrown bushes and weeds all over the premises. Wild shrubs have spread around the garden equipment, while accumulated dirt and garbage add to the shabby appearance of the civic space.Even the green gym installed by NMC has become difficult to use because several of the exercise machines are surrounded by overgrown bushes. The overall poor condition of the garden raises questions over the frequency of inspection and maintenance by NMC garden department.The garden also has play equipment installed by NMC for children. However, overgrown shrubs and poor upkeep have made it difficult for children to use the facilities safely. NMC neglect has turned a recreational space into an inaccessible patch full of overgrown shrubs, locals say.Deputy commissioner of the garden department Ganesh Rathod admitted that the garden was in a shabby condition. However, he did not explain why the department failed to ensure regular maintenance and upkeep of the garden.Corporator and NMC standing committee member Wasim Khan said he had been pursuing the issue with NMC officials for the last seven months. Though garden inspection and cleaning were carried out in the past, regular upkeep has been discontinued for the last few months, Khan claimed.The corporator also informed that a proposal for civil works costing less than Rs10 lakh and a green gym worth around Rs5 lakh was prepared in March. Khan alleged that despite repeated follow-ups, the work had not progressed. He claimed that the proposal file has gone missing from deputy commissioner Rathod’s cabin.The garden’s condition raises questions over the NMC’s approach to its proposed expansion of green spaces. While the civic body is planning to develop 75 gardens, residents are questioning whether adequate attention will also be given to maintaining existing gardens and ensuring that facilities already installed are usable.
