Pune Beat

The decision was taken at a meeting of the Municipal Commissioner Ratnakar Gaikwad, Mayor Dutta Gaikwad and members of the Stall Owners Association apart from corporators from various parties. Mayor Gaikwad told media persons that the decision not to allow setting up of firecracker stalls at the ground was taken as per the High Court directives that the Sanas ground should be used exclusively for sports purposes.

Only last year the PMC had justified its decision to rent out the ground for exhibitions, circus and firecracker stalls as there was no other ground in the city with such a central location. However following the High Court ruling, the PMC has decided not to allow the stalls to be erected at the ground.

Meanwhile, corporator Shiva Mantri has threatened to launch an agitation over the PMC decision. He along with other corporators strongly objected to the alternative sites as they would cause traffic congestion and also be a hindrance to the school children playing at the Garware Bal Bhavan. Instead the corporators have suggested other sites.