Vadodara: The Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) has introduced a new entry registration system at the city’s iconic Sayajibaug garden, also known as Kamatibaug. Under the new procedure, visitors are required to write down their name and phone number in a register before entering the garden.

However, residents have pointed out that there is no mechanism to verify whether the details provided in the register are accurate, raising questions about the effectiveness of the system.

The move has sparked mixed reactions among citizens, especially among regular morning walkers. Some long-time visitors expressed displeasure, arguing that they have been using the garden for decades without any such requirement. “We have never faced this kind of registration system. It is inconvenient and unnecessary,” said one walker protesting the change.

Others, while not opposed to the idea of monitoring visitors, suggested upgrading the process. Several citizens recommended installing automatic scanners at the entrance, saying the manual registration desk is causing crowding and creating a bottleneck at peak hours.

A section of walkers also speculated about the purpose behind the new system. They noted that recording daily footfall could eventually lead to the introduction of an entry fee, a move they fear VMC might consider if visitor numbers are formally tracked.

As the debate continues, VMC has not yet issued a detailed statement explaining the objective or duration of the new registration procedure. – DeshGujarat