- Priya Chetty Rajagopal
- Nov 14, 2024
- 11 min read
14 Nov Update: Post the Park Preservation Committee Meeting, and our letter, the matter was extensively discussed and Horticulture Dept will express their inability to enable this 365 day traffic rule by police.
13 Nov 2024
Ms Syama Iqbal
Secretary,
Dept of Horticulture
MS Building, Ambedkar Veedhi,
Bangalore 560001
Dear Ms. Iqbal:
The leadership shown by you, Director, Joint Director, DD’s and staff of the Horticulture Department is appreciated. We salute the Department's dedication to preserving and enhancing our green spaces and natural heritage.
As you know, Heritage Beku, Bangalore’s first heritage citizen initiative, has been a committed partner in supporting Horticulture efforts, particularly those concerning Cubbon Park. We have supported various initiatives, including setting up citizen campaigns addressing concerns during the Covid-19 pandemic, battling the 7-Story (and later 10-Story) construction projects, traffic management (with the Traffic Free Cubbon Park initiative), and the Smart City phase. We believe our joint efforts in preservation have been beneficial to both the park's heritage and the citizens of Bangalore.
We have recently heard unsettling reports about a potential reintroduction of traffic on second Saturdays, even Sundays and public holidays. Why is Cubbon Park targeted repeatedly? Already some traffic is allowed on Saturdays. We strongly believe this would be a retrograde step and oppose this strenuously. The current traffic-free status of Cubbon Park on these days has been widely appreciated by the public. Experts and prominent citizens have affirmed that this is crucial for safety, ecological balance, and biodiversity. We urge you to maintain this policy and consider aligning Cubbon Park's traffic regulations with those of Lalbagh.
We suggest implementing stricter enforcement of park rules and fines to ensure responsible usage, especially reg littering. leashing, public nuisance etc. Additionally, we request your intervention in completing pending Smart City projects related to the park's water table and aeration.
On a positive note, we feel more general, department-led programs are needed and suggest reintroducing a monthly Sunday military band performance to enhance the park's gravitas and cultural ambiance. We are also willing to suggest and enable interactive Cubbon Park programs on a planned basis, as suggested in our letter to the Department two years ago. These MUST not be commercial efforts.
The Park Preservation Committee that was set up recently is good. Having regular meetings with Heritage Beku and others will also make a difference. Finally, we believe it's crucial to apply for UNESCO Heritage status for both Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. We would be happy to collaborate with the Department on this initiative.
We look forward to your response and further discussions on preserving these invaluable spaces.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely,
Priya Chetty-Rajagopal
CC: All concerned
At left is the notice for the Park Preservation Committee Meeting on Wed 13 Nov 2024 3 pm to discuss traffic, and other issues.
It was unanimously decided NOT To allow the 365 day traffic request proposed by police and also to roll bak the 3 month pilot program with police allowing traffic on 2nd Saturdays
Below are Minutes extract of last year meeting held on 18/10/2024 (Google Translation)
Proceedings of Karnataka Govt
Subject - Chamarajendra (Cubbon Park) Conservation Committee (Cubbon Park Conservation Committee) - Send,
99;- Directorate of Horticulture -Office No: DH- CPOTECH/31/2023/DDHCP-Directorate of Horticulture-(1211294)
Proposal:-
In the proposal of the director of horticulture read above, Bangalore city is the garden city of the country and Bangalore city is the favorite residence of people with more population than any other city. Kabban Park and Lalbagh Gardens are the two main lungs that provide life to the fast growing city of Bangalore. Kabban Park comes under the purview of the Karnataka Parks (Conservation) Act, 1975. There are a total of 8837 plants, trees and vines belonging to different species within the park. The park is unique in having endemic plant species along with endangered plant species, the park is also a protected biological center providing shelter to a diverse fauna and flora.
There are many green environment-friendly and complementary development activities going on in the area of Kabban Park, and it is the responsibility of the government and the public to preserve the said park as an eco-friendly and people-friendly park. In this background, it is essential to form a Kabban Park Conservation Committee including officials/experts/aviationists/environmentalists from various departments concerned under the chairmanship of the Principal Secretary/Secretary Horticulture to take appropriate decisions from time to time in the interest of conservation of the park.
This proposal is ordered as follows. The scrutinized government is thisGovernment Order No: HORTI/383/HGM/2023, Bangalore, Dated: 18-10-2023
Chamarajendra (Kabban Park Conservation Committee) has been ordered to form a committee including officials/experts/aviationists/environmentalists from various departments as follows for the implementation of the objectives outlined in the proposal.
Allowed Activities : Discussion on this on 13 Nov :
Subject:- Permissible | Seeking to issue a government order in respect of various matters which are not permitted
Allowed Activities:
Walkathon and Marathon programs organized by various Govt/Private Organizations with prior approval of Horticulture Department,
Awareness programs organized by various departments of Govt.
Programs to be organized in Band Sand Premises with prior approval of Horticulture Department,
Flora/Wildlife/Pro-Amateur Photography undertaken with prior permission of Horticulture Department.
Yoga/Meditation and PU activities with prior approval of Horticulture Department (limited to organization of maximum 25 per team)
Use of seats by young readers/writers of maximum 10 persons with prior permission of Horticulture Department.
Public arriving in the park, tourists can use cameras Photoshoot (pre/post wedding shoots, baby, modeling suit, etc. short films/reels/video shooting is prohibited.
Health Check up Camps organized by authorized registered organization only.
Bicyclists arriving at the park after 8.00 am to 6.00 pm may use the bicycle. Trainees are not allowed.
Self-skaters/skaters with family members are restricted to use the road opposite Indira Priyadarshini Children's Library from the NGO entrance of Kabban Park for siting from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm on days when vehicular traffic is prohibited. Sighting training, stunts etc. will not be allowed.
Marathon, Walkathon to be held in Kabban Park Premises Date: 17-05-2023 As per resolution of S.K.U.P meeting Rs. 30,000/- fee and program related Rs. 20,000/- on payment of an advance deposit of 20,000/-, permission is being given to construct a 1 feet high stage for the program on Javafig Avinoo road behind KSLTA, use of low noise loudspeaker and distribution of packed food as a condition to maintain cleanliness.
Undertake eco-friendly painting by individuals with prior permission of Horticulture Department (any kind of commercial painting/sale is prohibited)
———
II. Prohibited Activities:
1) Heavy vehicles like bus, lorry, goods vehicle and auto carriages are prohibited on the inner roads of the park.
2) Prohibited vendors / peddlers in park premises.
3) Smoking, consumption of alcohol and intoxicants are strictly prohibited in the park premises.
4) It is prohibited to bring plastic items, bottle, plastic bag, pooja materials and any other waste in the park, put/throw it anywhere.
5) Consuming Parcel Meals / Snacks inside the park is prohibited.
6) Parking of vehicles only in the designated parking areas of the park,
7) Playing on the grass beds of the park is prohibited.
8) Climbing the trees in the park, playing jokali by holding tree branch, plucking leaves/nuts/flowers from trees/plants, carving on the bark of trees is prohibited. Do not set fire to any of the park's assets.
9) Vehicles are prohibited from honking on park roads.
10) Balloons and other toys are prohibited.
11) Do not go down into the lake/Kalyani, do not touch the wooden artefacts.
12) Indecent behavior is prohibited in the park premises.
13) Climbing on decorative structures and pergolas in the park is prohibited.
14) Entry of pet dogs is prohibited in other areas except designated areas (Dogs Park) inside the park.
15) Public/organizations shall not put up any banners/posts inside the park.
15) Defecation and spitting is prohibited inside the park except for specific/designated toilets.
16) Bringing of firearms/explosives, other dangerous materials into the park premises is prohibited.
18) Use of loudspeakers in the park premises, fireworks, activities causing noise pollution, air pollution and water pollution are prohibited.
19) Prohibition of solicitation, divination/divination, collection of money/subscriptions within park premises,
20) Meeting ceremony, friendly program, news conference, birthday party and others
Any celebrations are prohibited within the park premises. (National festivals excluding government events)
——-
III. Necessary rules to follow:
1) Do not stand under a tree in case of rain or wind.
2) Stay away from electric poles, panel boards and electric junction boxes in the park premises.
3) Be aware of the presence of snakes in tree trunks, burrows, bushes and other places in the park.
4) Parents always watch over their children, children for any reason
Not to be left alone to play and not to roam in restricted areas. 5) Playing / exercising using park infrastructure like benches, electric poles etc. is prohibited.
6) Beware of bees.
7) Kabban is responsible for any mishaps that may occur due to violation of park instructions.
Violation of an activity prohibited in the interest of conservation of Kabban Park with a maximum fine of Rs. 500/- under the rules of Director of Horticulture, Sri Chamarajendra (Kabban) Park, Bangalore.
Letter from Police Commissioner Shri Dayanand to GoK on traffic at Cubbon Park 365 days
(Google Translation) COPBCP-JCPTOPLNG(NOTP)/50/2024-JCPT-COP-BCP: 1/427366/2024: 04/ (0)2024
OFFICE OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, INFANTRY ROAD, BANGALORE CITY, 14-10-2024
to the
Principal Secretaries to Government, Government of Karnataka, Vidhansouda, Bangalore.
Subject : Regarding allowing vehicular traffic inside Cubbon Park on all public holidays
1. This Office Notification No: 26/05////2015, 2: 23.04.2015.
2. This Office Notification No: Other/147/ACP(No)/2015, Dated: 30.01.2016
3. Government of Karnataka Ministry's letter No: 2/157/.2.2/2019, 6: 20.09.2019.
4. This Office Notification No: 05/Notification/Joint (2)/2024, dated 6:15.02.2024.
Located in the heart of Bengaluru city, Kabban Park is a major park in the city and is visited by thousands of public, pedestrians, children, senior citizens and tourists in large numbers every day to enjoy the beauty of the park. For the purpose of controlling air pollution and inviting vehicular traffic on Sundays, complete ban on all types of vehicular traffic on inner roads of Kabban Park, arrangement of alternate routes for the convenience of motorists/riders traveling on these roads and provision for parking of vehicles coming to Kabban Park and Visvesvaraya Museum Reference-1 km A notification will be issued.
Further, the second Saturday of every month is a public holiday, as the public, children and the elderly come to the Kabban Park in large numbers, to facilitate their smooth movement and leisure, all types of vehicular traffic on the inner roads of the park is completely prohibited even on the second Saturday of every month and a notification was issued as reference-2.
Continued Government Order No: CASUE02 HHL 2019 Bangalore Dated: 12.06.2019 4th Saturday of every month as Public Holiday for Government Offices
Objection:- Requesting to issue a number order for various things which are permissible and not permissible within the limits of Kabban Park.
A notification has been issued by the government announcing that. In this regard, as per the decision of the meeting held under the chairmanship of the Chief Secretary to the Government of Karnataka, on the 4th Saturday of every month and on the 3 national festivals like Gana Rajyotsav, Satantya Day and Gandhi Jayanti, the ban on vehicular movement in Kabban Park has been issued. .
Continued Date: On 24.01.2024, as per the decision taken in the meeting presided over by the Chief Secretary to Government, Directorate of Horticulture, Ravera, to avoid inconvenience to the public and for smooth movement of vehicles in Kabban Park premises from Hon'ble High Court side to Siddalingaya circle and from Siddalingaya circle to Hon'ble High Court gates on 2nd and 4th Saturdays for three months. Teach order to allow opening until practical or next order ////03/2023-24. 2:08.02.2024 0 number; Issued, considering the order issued by Horticulture Department, in order to avoid the inconvenience caused to the public and for smooth movement of vehicles, it is ordered to open the gates of Hon'ble High Court from side of High Court to Siddhalinga circle and from Siddalinga circle on 2nd and 4th Saturdays to allow vehicular movement in Kabban Park premises and order as per reference 4.
As the number of vehicles in Bengaluru is increasing, the traffic is also increasing and several initiatives are being taken to facilitate the smooth movement of the public.
In recent times, in the areas around Cubbon Park, marathons organized by private parties on weekends, government events organized at Kantheerava Stadium next to Wan Mana and other events are parked in unauthorized places by some members of the public, causing problems for the smooth movement of the public. In the weekend, there is daily traffic in the areas surrounding the Cubbon Park, and in order to ease the traffic congestion, if vehicles are allowed to flow inside the Cubbon Park on all public holidays including Sundays, it will help to alleviate the traffic in the areas surrounding the Cubbon Park.
.Cubbonpark Park has 5 km of internal roads through which light vehicles, school vehicles, ambulances, VVIP and VIP can pass without obstruction. The move will help reduce vehicular congestion in the Central Business District.
Surrounding areas around Cubbonpark area like CL Circle, K.R. Circle Hudson Circle C.T.O. The roads connecting the roundabout, Gopalagowda roundabout and Siddalingaya roundabout will pass inside the Cubbon Park to reduce the vehicular traffic on the surrounding roads and reduce the travel time of the public.
Vehicular traffic inside Kenpark is essential to save.
It can be said that the internal roads of Cubbon Park are like the heart vessels that connect to other important roads. Every day, about 4 lakh people in more than 1.10 lakh light vehicles travel through these roads. Due to the blocking of vehicular traffic in the internal roads of Cubbon Park, the traffic of vehicles is inevitable on the surrounding roads, and huge traffic pressure is imposed.
Nripatunga Road, Kasturaba Road, Raj Bhavan Road, Infantry Roads around Cubbon Park are being used as one-way roads keeping in mind the vehicular traffic system inside Cubbon Park, the above roads are being used as one-way roads considering Cubbon Park as a big circle, traffic pressure is high as vehicular traffic is prohibited in Cubbon Park on public holidays.
Government events and private events are usually organized in the Kantheerava Stadium adjacent to the Cubbon Park on public holidays. As the public coming for these events are not allowed to park their vehicles at the Kantheerava Stadium, they also park their vehicles illegally on the neighboring roads, causing traffic congestion in the areas around the Cubbon Park on weekends and holidays. will be the reason.
As vehicular traffic is completely prohibited inside Cubbon Park on public holidays, vehicular traffic is seen increasing on the surrounding roads.
At least 1,500 ambulances ply around Cubbon Park every day, and as Cubbon Park's inner roads are closed on public holidays, traffic during peak hours often complicates the movement of ambulances.
Administrative centers such as Vidhan souda, Raj Bhavan, High Court etc. are in this zone, where dignitaries, dignitaries, foreign dignitaries come and go, it is essential to facilitate vehicular traffic inside the Cubbon Park for their security and smooth movement.
In the interest of the promenaders in Cubbon Park, this arrangement is currently being implemented, only a handful of people will come to stroll in Cubbon Park after 08:00 am, and banning the entry of vehicles on public holidays is not only a nuisance to the smooth movement of other motorists, but also in the interests of 'only a handful of people'. Ignored.
CBD, the heart of Bangalore city. Metro, Smart City, Tender Shore, Galgas and road and other infrastructure works are in progress in the area, traffic restrictions inside Cubbon Park will have to be relaxed due to high traffic pressure on the available roads.
Already in reference-4, vehicular traffic has been allowed inside Cubbon Park on 2nd and 4th Saturdays to facilitate public vehicles, ambulance vehicles, firefighting vehicles and other emergency vehicles, similarly, if vehicular movement is allowed inside Cubbon Park on all public holidays, for smooth traffic management of public. Will be very helpful.
Check all these material factors, withdraw the restriction of vehicular traffic inside Cubbon Park on public holidays, and on all public holidays
Allowing vehicular movement inside Cubbon Park is in public interest and it is hereby requested to take appropriate action to issue a revised government order allowing vehicular movement inside Cubbon Park on all public holidays including every Sunday to ease the traffic congestion in the CBD area.
Signed by Dayananda Date: 14-10-2024 15:35:39
(B. Dayananda, IPS) Commissioner of Police, Bangalore City.
Copy with regards
1. Submitted to the Director General and Inspector General of Police, Karnataka State, Bangalore,
2. Additional Chief Secretaries to Govt., Home Administration Department, Vidhana Soudha, Bangalore City.
3. Secretaries to Government, Horticulture Department, Multi-Storied Building, Bangalore.
