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Should vehicles be allowed inside Cubbon park? Park lovers protest

A long-standing debate between the traffic police and the state horticulture department has intensified over the proposed move to open  Cubbon Park for vehicular traffic on all days. M N Anucheth, Bengaluru’s Joint Commissioner (Traffic), advocates for the change, suggesting it would ease congestion in the Central Business District (CBD) and improve commuter access between the southern and northern parts of the city. Anucheth emphasized that the current closure forces drivers to take longer, more congested routes, ultimately worsening traffic conditions.

However, the horticulture department, which manages the 197-acre park, strongly opposes this move. They argue that keeping the park closed to vehicles on certain days—Sundays and public holidays—helps preserve the park’s tranquility and protects it from air and noise pollution. The controversy has led to a formal discussion involving Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh, with a meeting scheduled for Tuesday.

Environmental groups and concerned citizens have launched an online petition, “Cubbon Park Pradakshiney Haaki,” urging the authorities to maintain the traffic-free days. They stress that these periods transform the park into a peaceful and accessible space for the public. The petition highlights the unnecessary nature of allowing vehicles on public holidays, particularly since even the high court is closed during those times.

Historically, the park has been treated as a quiet zone. A 1997 High Court ruling limited vehicular movement within the park, and in 2015, a ban on vehicles on Sundays was imposed to reduce pollution. Despite these restrictions, the traffic department has continued to push for changes to improve connectivity.

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#CubbonParkDebate #BengaluruTraffic #EnvironmentalConservation #ParkAccess

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