Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has formally approved the development of the city’s first dedicated dog park. Set to come up on a 3-acre plot in Kharadi, the project marks a milestone for pet-friendly civic amenities in Pune after over two years of stalled proposals. The decision, cleared by the civic veterinary department last week, signals a major shift in the city’s approach to public space planning.
The park will be built on land identified under survey numbers 25 and 26 in Kharadi. It will feature a range of amenities, including fenced play areas, walking and jogging tracks, shaded zones, pet-friendly water points, and solid waste disposal systems. More facilities such as a grooming parlour, swimming pool for pets, parking space, and veterinary services will be added in phases. Senior officials stated that multiple PMC departments, including road, electricity, and water supply, have received directives to begin preparatory civil works such as boundary walls and utility lines. The integrated model aims to offer a secure and enriching environment for pets and pet parents alike, promoting recreational inclusivity within the city’s dense urban fabric.
The project has seen its share of setbacks. In 2023, PMC earmarked a 3.5-acre plot on the Katraj-Kondhwa Road for a dog park and even allocated a budget of ₹1 crore. However, the land belonged to the PMC-run Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park, and the Central Zoo Authority rejected the request citing provisions under the Wildlife Protection Act that bar domestic animals within zoo premises. Another proposal, in May 2024, targeted a 36,000-square-foot space in Baner, but that land was reallocated to another municipal department, stalling progress once again.
The green signal for Kharadi not only represents administrative resolve but also reflects the growing demand for pet-inclusive spaces in Indian cities. As pet ownership rises across urban India, such civic investments indicate a broader shift toward designing equitable and responsive public spaces. While the concept of a dog park may seem novel in a traditionally utilitarian infrastructure framework, city planners and civic experts now increasingly view such facilities as critical to mental well-being, social engagement, and sustainable urban design. Officials have acknowledged that the Kharadi park could serve as a pilot for similar future projects across Pune.
As implementation begins, the focus will be on timely execution, inter-departmental coordination, and maintaining environmental standards. The city’s residents, particularly pet owners, are hopeful that this long-overdue project signals a more inclusive chapter in Pune’s civic development story.
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