Survey on traffic via Cubbon Park ends

A three-day survey by the officials of the Horticulture and Public Works Departments - of traffic density through the gates of Cubbon Park - has concluded.

This follows a direction by the chief secretary to the two departments in the wake of the proposal by the Horticulture department to the government that the three gates of the key lungspace be closed for traffic permanently, so as to help walkers and children.

The Horticulture department had proposed to permanently close the park’s gates at Hudson Circle, KR Circle and MS Building. It took the movement and density of traffic passing through all the gates into consideration.

Mahantesh Murgod, deputy director, Horticulture, Cubbon Park, said “Following this, the chief secretary directed us (Horticulture department) and PWD to conduct a survey. The PWD has conducted the survey based on the highway rules. They will submit a report to us on Wednesday and we will share it with the government on Thursday,” he said.

The officials studied the traffic movement from 8 am to 10 pm. They also assessed the density. The Horticulture department has also sought help from the Karnataka State Pollution Control Board to assess the pollution levels. They are also holding talks with the traffic police to re-route the traffic when the three gates are closed permanently.

The traffic flow to Cubbon Park is high from UB City, High Court and MG Road. The park gates are closed on all Sundays and government holidays. Murgod said that whenever there is traffic congestion or heavy rainfall, in order to clear the rush, the traffic police have sought permission from the Horticulture department, before opening one or two gates to ease traffic movement.