Vehicle parking at Cubbon Park sparks controversy

Bengaluru: Parking of traffic in Cubbon Park, Bengaluru, has turned out to be a contentious issue between the police officials and the Horticulture Department. The matter sparked when M.N. Anucheth, Joint Commissioner (Traffic), Bengaluru City, urged opening the park for vehicle parking every day. However, the State Horticulture Department, the official custodian of the park, opposed the suggestion. At present, the park has been closed for parking on the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

The traffic police have been stressing the opening of Cubbon Park for the parking to ease the commuters’ movement from southern to northern parts of Bengaluru. The commuters have to take different routes and face all the difficulties in their movement. If vehicles are allowed to be parked inside the park, then the congestion issue would be resolved, said Anucheth.

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However, the environmental groups and the Horticulture Department have raised their opposition. They are demanding to keep the park traffic-free on selected days to protect the environment and reduce the air and noise pollution. They are repeatedly saying that Cubbon Park is a vital cog of the city to keep the atmosphere green.

Currently, citizens are submitting their petition and demanding to keep the park vehicle-free on Sundays and public holidays. The petitioners are saying that on holidays, the park should remain vacant so that families can pass some time in a green environment. They further added that even the High Court remains closed on such days.

The matter has reached the table of the Chief Secretary, Shalini Rajneesh, who discussed the matter in a meeting on Tuesday.