She was speaking at the inaugural function of the garden developed on the R C Dutt Road by the VMC.

The garden, exclusively for elderly citizens, is the 51st in the city. The Bank of Baroda has donated Rs 1.50 lakh to develop the garden. The 50th garden was inaugurated in Sama to commemorate 50th year of Indian independence.

Vyas said in two months the Corporation would plant 15,000 saplings all over the city. He hoped that efforts would be also made to develop a botanical garden near Ajwa reservoir. The foundation stone of the garden had been laid by then chief minister Amarsinh Chaudhary, but the work could not begin for want of funds.

While the Mayor said at least five gardens should be developed every year, Opposition leader Kanchanbhai Parmar said the VMC had the capacity to develop 10 gardens. Parmar said like during the rule of Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad the III, lanes of Vadodara should be made famous again by the species of trees planted. He suggested that banyan saplings be planted on 120-meter roads in the town planning schemes.

Delivering the inaugural address, Urban Development and Energy Minister Kaushik Patel said unless efforts were made towards afforestation the future generation would hold us responsible for not checking pollution. He added that afforestation drives were being taken up by several civic bodies in the State.

Earlier, Bank of Baroda General Manager F Bharucha assured that the Bank would contribute towards VMC's endeavours for developing the city.

Later in the night, the Minister held a common meeting of VMC and the Gujarat Electricity Board (GEB) officers to sort out various issues between both the organisations.

Encroachments: Eleven unauthorised shops and cabins falling in the margin area between the Pratapnagar overbridge and Makapura were razed on Wednesday. Nearly two kilometer long area was cleared. The work was carried out under police protection.