Nagpur: Here comes the unhealthy disappointment to hordes of morning walkers at Sonegaon who have been forced to face great deal of inconvenience, thanks to the Indian Air Force authorities. Actually the green area near airport have been the walker’s paradise for the past many years, but suddenly IAF authorities barred the entry into the premises. Both the gates leading to the areas have been lying closed for about 10 months and the citizens have to helplessly enter through the broken ends of gate.
It may be mentioned here that citizens from Sonegaon, Sahakar Nagar, Khamla, Pandey Layout and Jaiprakash Nagar used to visit the forested patch and Mulidhar Temple premises near Sahakar Nagar since many years.
Following a request from citizens, IAF authorities permitted them to enter the premises for walking and worship but made it clear the citizens were not exactly welcome. The bigger of the two gates is still kept closed. So is the narrower side gate. The citizens are allowed to enter the premises through a narrow space created by breaking one of the five iron rods of the gate. The citizens have to almost jump in.
“Our group of 11 old women from Khamla and Pandey layout has been coming to walk for over 13 years. We find it very difficult to enter and leave using that space. One of us got hurt on the leg and has stopped coming to walk,” said Sudha Fating, Manjusha Ganjre, Pratibha Nagrale, Susha Hedao, Rekha Meshram and Satyafula Dongre.
Corporator from Airport ward Praful Gudadhe visited the area on Thursday. “Air Force station should issue I-cards to genuine residents. There is a CISF jawan who can check IDs and permit people. It is strange that entry is allowed but gates remain closed. Airport is far away and there is another gate towards Airport compound where entry can be restricted. I will take up the issue with IAF,” he said.
