Thane gets its own Oxygen Park; Deputy CM inaugurates

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde inaugurated the Rajmata Jijau Udyan, also known as Oxygen Park, in Thane on Monday afternoon. The park is located opposite Hyde Park in the Manpada area and has been developed on a unique theme to promote environmental awareness and wellness. The inauguration event was attended by Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, MP Naresh Mhaske, former MLA Ravindra Phatak, former Mayor Harishchandra Patil, and Thane Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao. After the formal ceremony, the dignitaries toured the park to inspect the medicinal plants, trees, and citizen-friendly facilities.

Deputy CM Shinde emphasized the importance of such green spaces, especially in urban areas. He remarked that the difference in air quality is immediately noticeable upon entering the park, and highlighted the health benefits of the medicinal plants grown here. He expressed confidence that this Oxygen Park would help citizens lead healthier lives. Shinde assured that adequate funding will be provided for the continued development of such concept-based parks in Thane, including the upcoming Nakshatra Udyan in Kalwa. He also praised the efforts of garden superintendent Kedar Patil for completing the park as a personal mission.

Speaking at the event, Municipal Commissioner Saurabh Rao provided details about the park, developed over 3.5 acres in the Hiranandani Meadows area under the Vartaknagar ward committee. The project was executed under the Urban Garden Development Program, using state funds earmarked for basic infrastructure improvements. The park was completed following a directive from Deputy CM Shinde on August 27, with INR 4 crore allocated for its development.

The park features over 15,000 trees, including more than 100 species of medicinal and flowering plants such as Gudmar, Adulsa, Haldi, Citronella, Camphor, Bael, Rudraksha, and more. Sculptures of Ayurveda deities like Dhanvantari and legendary practitioners Charaka and Sushruta have also been installed. A man-made pond with aquatic plants, informative QR-code plaques on trees, and a 500-meter walking path with milestone boards enhance the visitor experience. Special lighting ensures minimal disturbance to birds, and heritage trees like ancient banyans and pipal have been preserved and beautified. Additionally, more than 500 bamboo plants have been densely planted to maximize oxygen generation.

Deputy CM Shinde also spoke about Thane’s transformation, mentioning infrastructure projects like the metro, ring metro, elevated roads, and tunnels. He noted that the city is becoming known as “Green Thane” due to massive afforestation efforts, including over 2.09 lakh trees planted this year alone. He urged that every student in municipal schools should plant and care for at least two trees and called for more such Oxygen Parks across the city.

During the ceremony, garden superintendent Kedar Patil, designers Pranav Anayal and Juilee Manjrekar, and tree conservationist Anand Patil were felicitated. A large number of local residents also attended the inauguration.

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