Mumbai: The Sant Gadgebba Udyan — popularly known as Rock Garden — in Nerul, has lost its charm in just four years since it was developed, residents have complained. They say the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has completely neglected the garden, which is spread over 2,400 sq.m. in Sector 21.
Arti Jha, a resident of Sector 17, Nerul, said the garden lacks a proper lighting facility. More importantly, she says, the toy train, which was the main attraction for children, has not been functional for many months now.
“I was a regular visitor to the garden as my children loved taking rides on the train. As the cost per ride is as low as ₹5, I never minded them taking more than one rides. However, since a couple of months ago, the toy train has been closed. Whenever asked, the people at the garden say it will resume working within a week,” Ms. Jha said.
The residents says that the toy train was also an affordable attraction for their children, and now they have to go for expensive options. Wonders Park near the garden also has a toy train. But the charges at Wonders Park (₹35 for adults and ₹20 for children) are eight to 10 times more than those at Rock Garden (₹2 for the five to12 age group and ₹5 for 12 years and above).
“I happened to visit Rock Garden recently. The main issue is that it has become a lovers’ point. There are many parts that are dark with no lights, making it the best place for lovebirds to meet, and making it uncomfortable for families to visit,” said Ruby D’souza, a resident of Vashi.
Nerul resident and president of the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena’s (MNS) Nerul wing Vinay Kamble, too, has written to the NMMC. “The summer holidays have just begun, and this pathetic state of the Rock Garden and the non-functional toy train has caused displeasure among visitors,” said Mr. Kamble.
The letter says that almost half of the lights in the garden are out of order. He added that the the garden has three entrances. “But the entrance facing the Nerul railway station, which is very convenient for people and which is just beside the NMMC Commissioner’s bungalow, is always locked. So people coming from the station are forced to cover a distance of nearly 1.5 km and use the entrance located at the front of Sector 21. If the officials don’t open the gate, we will break the lock and open the entrance for the common people,” he said.
Tushar Pawar, Deputy Municipal Commissioner, solid waste management and garden department, said. “There have been some light issues within the garden near the Commissioner’s bungalow, and a report has been sent to the electricity department. The needful will be done at the earliest.”
He said that tenders have been issued for maintenance and other work related to the the toy train, and the train will be functional soon.
With regards to the gate, Mr. Pawar said, “The gate is open when there is rush, for example during holidays. As the summer holidays have begun, the gates are open as per the visiting timings.”
