A drinking stall and new toilets coming up at the Rose Garden have invited criticism from the daily walkers. Majority of them feel that though both additions were required, their location would spoil the beauty of the garden.

The drinking stall is being constructed in front the garden where cars are parked. “It should have been built at a place towards Nehru planetarium,” suggested Bharti Gupta, who come for a walk at the garden daily. “Upfront it is spoiling the beauty of the garden,” said an employee of Horticulture Department of MC on condition of anonymity.

Similarly at the the rear of the Rose Garden, new toilets are being built in response to a long-pending demand. But again, this was leaving the lawn nearby damaged. “The garden has enough space towards the other end, where toilets could have been built. This would have also saved grass from getting damaged,” said an avid walker.

Sources said a private contractor was undertaking the work at the garden on built, operate and transfer (BOT) basis and hence he had chosen places which suited him from commercial point of view. “Advertisements are also to be put at these sites, which will fetch the contractor some money. So the sites towards one end will not suit him, “

Walkers have urged the commissioner and even the Mayor to re-consider the decision. “The Mayor’s residence is next to the Rose Garden, but it is sad that he is not even bothered while the green belt’s aesthetics are being tampered with,” rued another walker.