'Save our lung space': Citizens rally to protect Cubbon Park

Bengaluru: A group of regular visitors gathered at Cubbon Park on Sunday to campaign against a proposal allowing vehicular traffic inside the park on all days, except Sundays.

The issue of vehicular movement in Cubbon Park has been a long-standing controversy. Previously, authorities had restricted vehicles in the park on the second and fourth Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays to preserve the green space.

However, in February 2024, an order was issued permitting vehicles on the second and fourth Saturdays, following a suggestion by Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic), MN Anucheth. The move aimed to ease traffic congestion in the Central Business District (CBD).

The debate has reignited with the traffic police's latest proposal to open the park to vehicular movement on all days, except Sundays.

In response, citizens have launched an online signature campaign, titled Cubbon Park Pradakshiney Haaki, to oppose the proposal and preserve the park as a traffic-free zone.

On Sunday, a group of regular park visitors gathered to engage with the public and collect signatures.

Tanmaya Bekkalale, a Vasanthnagar resident and a regular walker in Cubbon Park for two decades, emphasised the importance of the park as one of the last remaining green spaces in the city’s heart.

"Allowing vehicles inside Cubbon Park does not reduce traffic congestion in the CBD," he said, citing a study by the Mobility Lab of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). "The congestion is due to poor roads and ineffective traffic management, not the park being closed. A park is a park — it is a lung space where people of all backgrounds come to relax and rejuvenate."

On Sunday, Bekkalale and other visitors interacted with over 350 people, all of whom signed the online petition to keep the park free of traffic. He added that over 1,500 people had signed the petition so far.

According to a regular walker: A park is a park — it is a lung space where people of all backgrounds come to relax and rejuvenate.

Supriya David, another regular visitor, highlighted the importance of Cubbon Park for families, especially in a city where apartment living has become the norm. "There are very few places left for children to play. Cubbon Park is one such space for recreational activities. Allowing traffic inside should be avoided at any cost," she said.