Pune: With an aim to reserve garden area of Murkute garden in Baner and remove all the other de-reservation on garden plot, the residents of Baner, Balewadi, Pasahan and Aundh have given a signed petition to the Joint Director of Town Planning on Saturday.

In August 2018, around 1,400 residents of Baner, Balewadi, Pashan and Aundh had signed a petition against the de-reservation of plots and reserve it as a whole for the garden area. The town planning department had called the residents for the hearing at New Administrative Building on Bund Garden Road.

Chairman of Baner Balewadi Pashan Residents Association (BBPRA), Vijay Varangaonkar, said, “Murkute garden is the only garden in Baner and Balewadi area. Earlier, it was reserved only for the garden area. Now, 40 per cent of the total area has been developed into a proper garden and the rest 60 per cent has been de-reserved. Eventually, the green cover will be lost.”

Founder of Aundh Baner Balewadi Pashan Vikas Manch and member of BBPRA, Mandar Raravikar, who stays near the garden, said, “In the morning and evening hours the footfall in the garden is in huge number as the garden has walking and jogging track along with an open gym. Considering the population of Baner, Balewadi and Aundh the garden should be big, but the existing garden is running out of its capacity. “

Joint Director of Town Planning Department, Avinash Patil, said, “At present, 2.5 acres is the current garden area, while 2.25 is de-reserved for residential purposes and 1.75 acres is de-reserved for the municipal purposes.”

“On Sunday, I will conduct a spot visit and make a report and submit my recommendations to the State Government,” Patil added.