ID inside Lalbagh mandatory

Cards will be issued to all walkers in the next 40 days for daily stroll

This decision was taken at a  meeting between the Lalbagh Horticulture Director N Jayaram and the members of the Lalbagh Walkers’ Association on Sunday, despite objections from many walkers.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, Lalbagh Horticulture Director N Jayaram said the ID cards will be issued to all the walkers’ in the next 40 days.

“We are not going to charge Rs 200 for the ID card. Instead a nominal charge would be collected. The walkers association members had some problems about certain amenities like toilets and drinking water facility. We are going to look into solving these problems shortly,” he said. V N Rajashekhar, Co-convenor, Save Bangalore Committee, said that Lalbagh is a public property and there is no need for an ID card to enter a public place. “The Government is slowly trying to outsource public parks. Introduction of ID cards to enter Lalbagh is one of their conspiracies,” he said.

Over 300 members of the Lalbagh Walkers’ Association including its president Sadashiva Reddy attended the meeting.  Around 50 members including Reddy agreed to the concept of ID cards.

“We agree with the decision to issue identity cards but a nominal charge must be collected for it.  Lalbagh authorities must also concentrate in providing good facilities. There is no proper maintenance of toilets and drinking water facility is not available in the premises. There is also dog menace in areas around the jogging track,” said Reddy.