Pune: NIBM Road Residents Unite To Reclaim Neglected Garden Plot, Urge PMC To Develop Public Green Space
Pune: NIBM Road Residents Unite To Reclaim Neglected Garden Plot, Urge PMC To Develop Public Green Space
Pune, July 21, 2026: Residents of the NIBM Road area have launched a collective campaign to restore a long-neglected garden amenity plot within the Sunshree Emerald Society premises, urging the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) to develop it into a public green space for children, senior citizens, and the local community.
The plot, measuring approximately 2,550 square metres, is officially designated as a garden amenity space in PMC records. However, residents allege that despite its intended purpose, the land has remained neglected for years and has gradually turned into an unauthorised parking area, garbage dumping spot, and even a waste segregation site.
According to residents, the lack of maintenance has resulted in overgrown vegetation, making the area a breeding ground for reptiles and posing safety concerns for nearby families. The neglected condition of the land has deprived nearly 5,000 residents living in the surrounding neighbourhood of a much-needed public open space.
Residents say they are no longer willing to let the situation continue.
“We want the PMC to develop this amenity plot into a proper garden with walking tracks, landscaped green spaces, children’s play equipment and seating areas for senior citizens. Every locality deserves a clean and accessible public park,” said the residents during their interaction with Pune Pulse.
Shahnawaz Shaikh, a resident of the area, said the plot has been misused for years.
“The garden reservation has effectively become a dumping ground, an informal parking lot and even a segregation shed. We have repeatedly written to the PMC requesting that the land be maintained and developed, but our appeals have received no meaningful response,” he said.
Shaikh added that residents had even expressed their willingness to contribute financially towards improving the space if the civic administration extended support. However, despite several representations, no positive action has been taken so far.
Echoing similar concerns, Dr. Sunil Deshpande, who has lived in Sunshree Emerald for the past 24 years, said he has never seen the plot maintained as a garden.
“I have personally made several attempts to keep the area clean, but without support from the authorities, those efforts could not be sustained. It is unfortunate that a valuable public amenity has remained neglected for so long,” he said.
Rashida, a resident of La Ventana, said the initiative has brought together residents from multiple housing societies along NIBM Road with a common objective of protecting the designated green space.
“We hope the PMC takes this opportunity to create a beautiful community garden with walking paths, landscaped greenery and play equipment for children. Such a space would greatly improve the quality of life for families and senior citizens in the area,” she said.
Residents also acknowledged the support extended by local corporator Gafoor Pathan, expressing hope that coordinated efforts between citizens and civic authorities will finally result in the development of the long-pending garden amenity.
The residents have appealed to the PMC to prioritise the project and transform the neglected plot into a vibrant public green space, saying it would serve thousands of people in one of Pune’s rapidly growing residential neighbourhoods.
