Bengaluru residents, lawmakers unite against proposal to convert Cubbon Park stretch into parking lot: Report

Lawmakers support environmentalists and residents opposing conversion of Cubbon Park stretch into a parking lot.

Amid a controversy over converting a 500-metre stretch within the popular Cubbon Park in Bengaluru into a parking lot, lawmakers have come forward in support of environmentalists and residents, saying that vehicles can be parked around the park or elsewhere, according to a report.

The parking lot was proposed to be built between the Queen’s Statue and the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association stadium.(AFP Photo)

Frequent visitors of the Cubbon Park including joggers, readers and picnic enthusiasts put up a united front over the issue, opposing the conversion of the stretch into a parking facility when the proposal first came forward. Bengaluru residents are known to be protective of the park, having opposed several similar proposals in the past. The park is also called the green “lung” of the Karnataka capital.

Lawmakers have now come forward backing residents over the issue. A city MLA spoke to the publication and said, “There are several places around Cubbon Park where the government can consider setting up parking facilities. The multi-level parking lot at Freedom Park is kept locked for reasons unknown for years. The government can consider opening such facilities and leave the park as it is.”

Another senior parliamentarian also echoed the sentiments, saying that the conversion of the green space into a parking area would be “unscientific”. “Once you open up the park for such practices, it will later become free for all kinds of activities, besides being an additional burden on enforcement agencies to regulate and maintain the area. Previously, both the high court and government had turned down construction activity there considering the requirement of a lung space for citizens at the centre of a bustling city,” he said, as quoted by the publication.

Residents part of the walkers and joggers community also appealed authorities to ban parking of all types of vehicles on the park's premises. The parking lot was proposed to be built between the Queen’s Statue and the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association stadium.