Pune: Taljai Hill has undergone a drastic transformation in the recent past with the barren land turning into a lush green space. Congress Leader Aba Bagul has said that he would plant five lakh indigenous saplings at the hill during the beautification process.

While speaking in a press conference, Bagul said, “In 2017, the area came under my jurisdiction and I decided to beautify the tekdi by setting up gardens, solar roof parking and cricket ground.”

He also said, “New compound wall has been constructed to stop the encroachment and to also ensure its safety. The project is spread over 107 acres of land, consists of eight theme parks, plants of various species, solar roof parking which will generate 300 KW of electricity. Similarly, five acres of land have been demarcated for water reservoirs dedicated to rainwater harvesting. The first phase will see a cricket ground named after cricketer Sadhu Shinde. Apart from this, an open-air gym and a laughter club are also being considered.”

He also assured that during the beautification some trees will be transplanted but no trees will be trimmed or axed. Similarly, 180 bamboo trees will also be planted.”

Corporators object
Some corporators have objected to the Taljai hills beautification work. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) Corporator Subhash Jagtap said, “The PMC doesn’t have the right to do beautification work in Taljai hill area on private owners’ land. However, under the pressure of the local corporator, the civic body is doing the beautification work. It is unauthorised. I have documents in which the PMC’s Land Acquisition Department stated that the land does not belong to the PMC.”