Entry fee at major gardens proposed

Sandeep Rana

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, August 11

If a proposal of the Horticulture Department, Municipal Corporation, is approved, people will have to pay entry fee at major gardens or green belts in the city.

“An entry fee between Rs 10 and Rs 20 at these places will increase our revenue. Entry fee can be charged at Fragrance Garden, Sector 36; Rose Garden, Sector 16; Shivalik Garden, Mani Majra; Japenese Garden, Sector 31; and Valley of Animals, Sector 49, and others,” said a report of the department presented to an MC panel.

Passes for morning walkers

It has also suggested issuing paid passes to morning and evening walkers. A licence fee for erecting hedges on municipal land adjoining to residential areas has also been proposed.

However, these recommendations have not gone down well with residents. “In some areas where neighbourhood parks are not maintained, residents go to these gardens for a walk. If entry fee is imposed, then people will shy away from going for a walk there,” said Hitesh Puri, Chairman, Federation of Sectors Welfare Associations of Chandigarh.

“These are not tourism places such as Rock Garden or Sukhna Lake. These are basic facilities given to common people. And this move will not give much revenue to the corporation,” he added.