2k sign campaign to oppose nod for traffic on Sundays

Bengaluru: The proposal to open Cubbon Park for traffic on Sundays and public holidays has been strongly opposed by several park users and activists. Over 2,000 people have joined an online signature campaign demanding that the govt shelve the proposal.
The move comes ahead of a meeting to be convened by the chief secretary later this week to decide on allowing vehicle movement inside the green space, which was tested in Oct last year. The horticulture department, which is in charge of the park's maintenance, said traffic police actually favour opening the park gates during weekends. Currently, vehicles are prohibited inside the park Sundays.
Umesh Shetty, president of Walkers' Association, said, "For years we have been protecting Cubbon Park. We have to pay and enter Lalbagh, and citizens have only Cubbon Park to spend time with their families. If traffic is allowed on weekdays, we understand because they are working days, but why allow traffic on Sundays when all offices and courts are closed? If the govt tries to implement this, we will have massive protests for sure…"
Heritage Beku founder Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, who started the signature campaign, said, "Introducing vehicles in Cubbon Park after five to seven years of traffic-free weekends is absolutely horrendous. Children have become accustomed to open, safe spaces, and cycle, skate and play freely. Reintroducing traffic will undoubtedly lead to accidents or fatalities, compromising the safety of families and children. Studies show that bypassing the park adds an average of just 1.5 minutes to commute time, making the argument for vehicular access baseless..."
Jagadeesh, joint director of horticulture department, said they will hold a meeting with the chief secretary this week. "The request was made by traffic police that vehicles be allowed on Sundays and holidays. However, we have a meeting scheduled with the chief secretary to discuss the pros and cons of the request made, and we will take a decision at the meeting."
Vinod Jacob, a member of Namma Bengaluru Foundation, said: "One main reason we don't want traffic inside Cubbon Park on Sundays is that a large community of people, kids and even pets come to the park…and such days are always crowded with people. Allowing vehicles will restrict their movement, and it is risky for both pets and people to freely roam inside the green space."