Fountains set to make a comeback at Pune traffic junctions

PMC plans to bring them back in a different form, with reworked electrical system and colourful lights

Water fountains that once added to the beauty of city roads have now got restricted to gardens with those on various road junctions either being removed to make way for the increased traffic or have been non-operational for long. However, the non-operational ones are now all set to return with the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) administration deciding to bring them to life.

Many of the fountains had to be removed to accommodate the increased traffic on city roads and the prominent ones include those at Pune University circle, Dandekar bridge and Alka theatre. On the other hand, the fountains at Deccan, Shivaji Putla on Karve Road, on the island in front of MSEB office in Rasta Peth, Saras Baug chowk and a few other places exist but have been lying defunct.

Recently, in his budget speech, Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Pathak announced that the city would once again see the play fountains getting operational. "We will install new types of fountains this year," he said.

PMC garden superintendent Sunil Kesari said: "PMC administration has decided to restart all the play fountains that have been non-operational for a long time. There will be added features to the water fountains this time and they will reappear in a different form."

The electrical system would be reworked and colourful lights used to create difference for the fountain, he said, adding that the regular maintenance of the fountains would be done either by contractors appointed for the purpose or by the civic staff.

He said the PMC would also revamp the water fountain at Saras Baug and give a new look to the entire garden by making changes in the existing water fountain system. "LED lights will be used at the fountain at Saras Baug," Kesari said, adding the Katraj lake area and a few other gardens would also see new fountains coming up.

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