Walkers celebrate ban on vehicles inside Cubbon Park

Members of the Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association celebrated the enforcement of the ban on entry of vehicles in the City’s famed lung space on Sundays by distributing sweets among the public. 

On Sunday, barricades with ‘No Entry’ signs were erected at the gates of Cubbon Park, following a ban order by the City police. As per the directions received from the police, vehicles will no longer be allowed inside the park from 10 pm on Saturdays till 8 am on Mondays, said officials of the horticulture department. 

The ban has brought cheers to walkers who have been fighting for it for more than two years now. “We can now walk peacefully on Sundays, at least. As it is a public holiday, hundreds of people throng the parkon Sunday leading to traffic jams and even footpaths are encroached upon by vehicles,” said Asha Sundar. 

Saravana, another regular walker, expressed happiness over the move and said it was a victory for the Cubbon Park Association as well as the walkers. S Umesh, president of the Association, said the ban had been enforced at six out of the seven gates, barring the Bal Bhavan entrance. “Vehicles are allowed to park opposite the Bal Bhavan on King Edward Road. Once Metro works at KR Circle and near Vidhana Soudha are completed, this gate will also be closed. We are happy that our efforts have paid off,” he said. 

Officials of the Horticulture Department said the police had issued the order 25 days ago but it wasn’t enforced due to IPL matches. Mahantesh Murugod, Deputy Director, Cubbon Park, said, “The order on vehicle ban was issued by Police Commissioner M N Reddi following a meeting between Horticulture officials and the police. We had pressed for a ban on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, but due to the ongoing Metro works, police have agreed to the ban only on Sundays.” 

He added: “We had also sent a memorandum to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and he has approved the Sunday ban.” 

But Justice (retd) Michael F Saldanha said he was disappointed that the ban was only on Sundays. “There should be a total ban from Friday night till Monday morning. What about public holidays? The park and the surroundings are crammed with vehicles on those days.”