Reality on the Ground

By Swamidas Nair.

Aman Shaikh, a ten-year-old boy, faces challenges when trying to invite his friends to play cricket because parents in their residential complex forbid their children from playing on the streets.

“I’m passionate about cricket. Many of my friends in our building attend school in the early morning, returning home around noon. We love playing together before hitting the books. But our area lacks a proper playground. We’re left with no choice but to play on the roads within our community. Unfortunately, my friend’s mother doesn’t permit him to join me. She’s worried about accidents. When my friends can’t come out to play, I end up staying home, watching television” says Aman.

Aman resides in the Viman Nagar neighbourhood of Pune. The burgeoning suburban regions of Pune have been grappling with issues like the scarcity of play areas for children. Viman Nagar stands as one of the fastest-growing areas in the city. However, the absence of playgrounds compels children to play on the streets, posing risks to both residents and motorists.

With diminishing playgrounds, children are left with limited options for outdoor recreation. Many are forced to play on crowded streets, exposing them to various hazards. Street play not only jeopardizes their safety due to traffic, but also deprives them of the physical and mental benefits that come from playing in a secure, green environment.

Experts say that the dearth of open playgrounds can have adverse effects on children’s well-being. Physical activity is crucial for their growth and development, and losing access to playgrounds can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, contributing to health problems such as obesity and related issues. Bindu Puppal, a resident of Vadgaonsheri, another growing suburban area in Pune, shared her concerns: “I’m always anxious when my thirteen-year-old son goes out to play on the street. I have to restrict him due to safety concerns.”

“Once upon a time, there were numerous open grounds for kids to enjoy and play freely. However, over the past five years, the landscape has changed drastically, with only two or three small playgrounds remaining in Viman Nagar,” lamented Vishal Mane, a resident of Viman Nagar for the past fifteen years.

Children playing on the roads in densely populated residential areas are susceptible to accidents. Karan Solanki, an IT professional residing in Kharadi, commented, “It’s extremely perilous for kids to play on the streets. I’ve personally witnessed kids getting injured and involved in accidents on the road, and it’s truly horrifying.”

Paving the Way for Paid Turfs:

The inadequate availability of playgrounds has given rise to private paid turf facilities where children pay to play. Due to the scarcity of open grounds, children who once enjoyed the freedom of open spaces and communing with nature are now left with no option but to play on artificial turf by paying fees.

Mukesh Singh, a resident near the artificial turf area of Somnath Nagar in Viman Nagar, expressed his sorrow: “It’s disheartening to see kids confined to playing on turf. I feel sad that they won’t experience the vast playgrounds where our generation used to play freely for hours without any constraints. Moreover, the space they have now is limited.”

The issue of playgrounds in Pune’s suburban areas has raised concerns among parents, educators, and community leaders. Many are advocating for stricter regulations to preserve existing open spaces and ensure that new construction projects allocate sufficient areas for recreational activities.

A regional party office bearer requesting anonymity stated, “We are making every effort to protect the remaining playgrounds and are in discussions with builders to address this issue. It’s imperative for the new generations to have access to and play on open playgrounds without any financial barriers.”