BENGALURU: The immense relief people felt after lockdown relaxation was clearly visible at the city’s two main green lungs on Tuesday. Early risers thronged to Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, forming long lines to get fresh air and exercise, a big part of normal routine that they had been missing for nearly two months.
In the morning, parks were open for two hours, 7am to 9am. Lalbagh saw 4,000 visitors, while Cubbon Park welcomed 3,000. They reopened again for two hours in the evening, 5pm to 7pm.
“It seems people had been eagerly waiting to visit Lalbagh. We realised this only when we saw the huge crowds at the gate,” said M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture, parks and gardens.
Officials, who arrived at the west gate around 6.30am, were surprised to see a 1-km queue build up in just half an hour. Citizens stood patiently, observing social distancing.
“Every visitor underwent thermal screening and was asked to use sanitiser before entering the park. We formed parallel queues to ensure that people could enter the park easily,” Jagadeesh said. Hand sanitisers were provided to visitors at four gates.
Chamarajpet resident Padmini Kallur, who used to walk regularly at Lalbagh before the lockdown, said she was thrilled to be back. “Lalbagh is an emotion. I have been coming here to walk since I was a five-year-old. I am 40 now. The park is an inseparable part of my daily routine,” she said.
Sharath Rao, software engineer and resident of Jayanagar, said a stroll in the park gave him much-needed relief. “We are emotionally attached to this space. The long queue was worth it,” Rao said. “People are aware of the Covid-19 situation and want to be checked before entering the premises. They also understand the importance of distancing.”
A senior official with the horticulture department said the morning mood was buoyant at Cubbon Park. “As per government orders, we screen everyone and only then allow them in,” he said.
In the morning, parks were open for two hours, 7am to 9am. Lalbagh saw 4,000 visitors, while Cubbon Park welcomed 3,000. They reopened again for two hours in the evening, 5pm to 7pm.
“It seems people had been eagerly waiting to visit Lalbagh. We realised this only when we saw the huge crowds at the gate,” said M Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture, parks and gardens.
Officials, who arrived at the west gate around 6.30am, were surprised to see a 1-km queue build up in just half an hour. Citizens stood patiently, observing social distancing.
“Every visitor underwent thermal screening and was asked to use sanitiser before entering the park. We formed parallel queues to ensure that people could enter the park easily,” Jagadeesh said. Hand sanitisers were provided to visitors at four gates.
Chamarajpet resident Padmini Kallur, who used to walk regularly at Lalbagh before the lockdown, said she was thrilled to be back. “Lalbagh is an emotion. I have been coming here to walk since I was a five-year-old. I am 40 now. The park is an inseparable part of my daily routine,” she said.
Sharath Rao, software engineer and resident of Jayanagar, said a stroll in the park gave him much-needed relief. “We are emotionally attached to this space. The long queue was worth it,” Rao said. “People are aware of the Covid-19 situation and want to be checked before entering the premises. They also understand the importance of distancing.”
A senior official with the horticulture department said the morning mood was buoyant at Cubbon Park. “As per government orders, we screen everyone and only then allow them in,” he said.
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