VIP culture in Bengaluru: Karnataka government notification allows vehicular movement in Cubbon Park

The Karnataka government has passed a notification which allows vehicles to enter Bengaluru's Cubbon Park through all of its gates from June 9, on all days except Sundays.

"It is inevitable to make use of all the available roads around Vidhan Soudha (the Karnataka Assembly) for free movement of VIPs without causing any hindrance to regular traffic. In recent times, traffic police have been finding it tough to regulate the traffic on roads surrounding the park. Hence, keeping aside all the earlier orders, a new order has been issued facilitating the movement of vehicles inside Cubbon Park," the Police Commissioner's order says.

The notification gives discretionary powers to Cubbon Park traffic police to allow traffic inside the park to ease vehicular movement.

It adds that there will be no vehicular movement into the park from 10pm to 8am on all days.

Police have relaxed curbs on traffic movement inside the park without the consent of the Horticulture department, which maintains it.

Vehicular movement was earlier prohibited in Cubbon Park on all Sundays, second Saturdays and all state government holidays. That helped reduce pollution levels within the park and made it safe for Bengaluru denizens to walk, jog, exercise and cycle.

CITIZENS SHOCKED, VOW TO FIGHT ORDER IN COURT

Bengaluru citizens who are fighting to save what remains of the city's green spaces are stumped by the new order, which the police issued without consulting them or the Horticulture department.

Cubbon Park Walker's Association President S Umesh told India Today that this was a shame for the citizens, and asked why such an order had to be issued. If authorities don't reconsider the decision, they are willing to take legal measures.

Urban conservationist Vijay Nishant said Cubbon Park and Lal Bagh were sensitive locations, and that it had become a habit for the government to take decisions in such matters without consulting citizens or experts.

Others, such as Ariman and Anusha, want the government to take back the notification.

"This is the only green space we have in the city and hence it is our duty to conserve it," Ariman said.

Anusha echoed his views, and added, "Given a chance, the authorities will start by allowing traffic today and then try their best to destroy the park in the future."

Ameena Khan, a student, says that the order is wrong since the government didn't take into consideration the views of all the stakeholders involved in protecting and preserving Cubbon Park.

Environmentalists are now planning to submit a memorandum to the Chief Secretary, and stage a protest soon if the government sticks to this order.

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