Neglect and Encroachment Plague Pune’s Iconic Sarasbaug, Citizens Raise Alarm
Swargate, 10th May 2025: Once a symbol of heritage and serenity, Pune’s historic Sarasbaug is now battling neglect, encroachment, and hygiene concerns, leaving regular visitors disheartened and raising serious questions about the Pune Municipal Corporation’s (PMC) commitment to maintaining public spaces.
Located at the foot of Parvati Hill and built during the Peshwa era by Nanasaheb Peshwa, Sarasbaug houses the revered Saras Ganpati temple and is considered a spiritual and recreational hub. However, residents and daily visitors say the garden’s current condition is a far cry from its past glory.
Encroachment by food vendors, poor drainage, lack of cleanliness, and an increasing number of stray dogs have turned the area into a safety hazard.
‘Sacred but Dirty’: Citizens Speak Out
Nitin Kakade (59), a resident of Balajinagar who visits the park for his morning walks, said, “Food stalls have encroached on the footpath and extended beyond it to place their tables and chairs. At night, when they wash their stalls, the dirty water flows onto the road. It stinks and makes the road slippery, which is dangerous for vehicles and pedestrians. And people park on both sides, making it worse.”
Prema Dev (50), another regular visitor, echoed the concern: “There is no proper drainage, and the place is sacred yet very dirty. The number of stray dogs has increased. They scare tourists and have even bitten some.”
Ajit Shah, a Shukrawar Peth resident, visits Saras Ganpati every day. “The entire road is taken over by shopkeepers. There’s hardly any space left for people to walk freely. It’s disgraceful how we treat our cultural landmarks.”
Arun Gujrathi (72), from Bibwewadi, added, “The authorities must take strict action. The neglect is not just unsightly but dangerous.”
PMC Response
A PMC official, on condition of anonymity, said, “Action is underway. We are in the process of removing the pipes from the footpaths and regularly cracking down on encroachments in the Saras Bagh area.”
Yet, for daily visitors and devotees, words are no longer enough.
