In a recent assembly session, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Siddharth Shirole, representing the Shivajinagar constituency, addressed the scarcity of public grounds and open spaces for citizens in the rapidly developing city of Pune.
Shirole passionately called for government-run educational institutions, including Savitribai Phule Pune University, College of Agriculture, Aundh ITI, College of Engineering Pune Technical University, BJ Medical College, and others, to allow common citizens access to their expansive grounds for morning and evening walks and exercise.
Highlighting the limited availability of public spaces for recreational activities in Pune, Shirole emphasized the urgent need to open up the grounds of centrally located government colleges and institutes. During the assembly session, he stated, “Pune is developing rapidly, and there are few public grounds and open spaces available for the public. So, such grounds should be kept open for people.”
While addressing concerns about potential issues arising from allowing public access, Shirole suggested that, as these educational institutions are under the state government, it should request them to permit walkers. He acknowledged the challenges faced by citizens who were once able to use these grounds for recreational purposes, citing instances where administrations had restricted access.
In advocating for the public’s right to use these spaces, Shirole also acknowledged concerns raised by institutions, including instances of pet-related issues.
As the debate continues, the issue of balancing public access with potential challenges posed by pet-related incidents remains at the forefront of discussions.
