Bengaluru: Ban on vehicular movement in Cubbon Park on weekends and holidays starting from April 25
Once the gates are closed on Saturday at 10 pm, the park will be open for vehicles only from Monday 8 am
Bengaluru: After years of struggle, the wait for a vehicle-free Cubbon Park is finally over. The city traffic police are set to impose a ban on vehicular movement in Cubbon Park on weekends and government holidays starting from April 25. Once the gates are closed on Saturday at 10 pm, the park will be open for vehicles only from Monday 8 am.
In December, Deccan Chronicle had reported that traffic restrictions will be imposed in Cubbon Park on weekends and government holidays. Four months after, the horticulture and police departments will jointly ensure that vehicles are not allowed inside the city’s iconic park.
DCP (Traffic-East) Babu Rajendra Prasad confirmed that all seven gates will be closed from April 25 night to April 27 morning and a notification will be issued in this regard on Friday. “We have decided to close all gates leading to Cubbon Park starting Saturday night. The proposal has been pending for long, on this weekend, the ban will be imposed on experimental basis,” he said.
Though it is not decided till when the pilot project will be in practice, Mr Prasad said based on the impact on traffic on Sunday, further decisions will be taken. “It’s extremely difficult to monitor traffic when matches are held in the city, especially on Sundays. Since there is no IPL match or any other cricket match this Sunday, we decided to impose the ban,” he added.
When asked about the feedback the department had received to this decision, he said for and against voters were equal. “Many are unhappy about taking a de-tour, for instance, those going towards Siddalingaiah Road from KR Circle and vice-versa will have to go via Kasturba Road, and this has attracted objections. At the same time, many are happy that they can spend quality time with families and children without having to worry about vehicles,” he added.
Cubbon Park has seven entrances from KR Circle, Hudson Circle, Vittal Mallya Road, High Court, Secretariat Club, Bal Bhavan and Press Club and all of them will remain closed. Those visiting Press Club can use the Press Club entrance to enter and exit the club.
Parking norm
Bengaluru: Visitors to Cubbon Park can park their vehicles at two gates-King’s Road (Queen’s Statue entrance) and the High Court parking lot. Also, those coming from Museum Road can park their vehicles at a left side corner in the park.