₹60 Entry Fee at Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan Sparks Affordability Debate in Guwahati

The Guwahati Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) has reintroduced entry fees for parks and recreational facilities across the city, with the revised rates coming into effect from July 5. While the move covers more than a dozen public attractions, the ₹60 entry fee for Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan in Uzan Bazar has triggered widespread discussion among residents, particularly on social media.

Under the revised fee structure, visitors will pay ₹20 to enter Jorpukhuri Park and Gandhi Mandap, ₹30 for parks such as Amrit Udyan, Atal Udyan and Shraddhanjali Kanan, ₹50 for Nehru Park, and ₹60 for Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan, the Botanical Garden and the Brahmaputra Riverfront Park.

Many residents have questioned whether ₹60 is an appropriate charge for a public park developed and maintained with public funds. The issue has generated considerable discussion online, with several users arguing that the fee may discourage families and middle-income visitors from regularly using the city's recreational spaces.

For a family of four, the entry fee alone would amount to ₹240, excluding transport, parking and other expenses. Some residents have suggested that the authorities consider concessional rates for students, larger families and frequent visitors.

Others, however, have defended the revised charges, arguing that quality public parks require regular expenditure on landscaping, lighting, sanitation, security and maintenance. They say user fees can help sustain these facilities while discouraging vandalism and overcrowding.

GMDA has announced that morning walkers will continue to enjoy free entry between 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. The authority has also exempted children below nine years of age, senior citizens above 75 years and specially abled persons from paying entry fees.

The revised tariff also marks the end of a period during which entry to GMDA-managed parks had been made free for all visitors since December 2025.

The debate over the revised fees reflects a broader question facing Guwahati as its public infrastructure expands—whether premium urban recreational spaces should remain largely free and publicly accessible or recover part of their maintenance costs through user charges.

With Sati Radhika Shanti Udyan emerging as one of the city's most visited public parks, many residents say they hope GMDA will review the pricing policy after assessing public feedback and visitor response.