The open gym at Savlaram Maharaj Sports Complex in Dombivli has allegedly been lying in a state of disrepair for over a year, according to local residents who say that broken equipment, missing pedals, and unstable iron poles have turned it into a safety hazard — especially for senior citizens who regularly use the facility. Despite repeated verbal and written complaints, the Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has not taken any visible action, locals allege.
Residents say that several gym machines have rusted, with nuts, bolts, and shafts coming loose. In some cases, the pedals are completely missing, making it difficult to exercise properly. What's more concerning, they add, is that iron poles embedded in the ground have become shaky, potentially leading to serious accidents.
Senior citizens, including Sunil Shevde and Anil Sudame, have raised the issue multiple times with KDMC officials. Shevde claimed he had submitted a written complaint six months ago and continued to follow up, but no repairs have been carried out to date. “Now, the officials have even stopped answering my calls,” he said. Sudame, who says he’s made several oral complaints, echoed the same frustration and disappointment.
Locals further claim that KDMC officials who occasionally visit the complex for other work have seen the poor condition of the gym firsthand but have still failed to respond. Residents are now questioning the civic body’s priorities, pointing out that while crores are being spent on metro lines and concrete roads, a few thousand rupees for basic repairs at a public gym seem to be ignored.
The gym, inaugurated with much fanfare by local representatives a few years ago, now stands as a symbol of neglect. Citizens are urging both the civic body and local leaders to take immediate action before someone gets injured.