The ban on vehicular movement on Sunday in Cubbon Park for the first time in decades brought out two contrasting sides to the popular park. Unlike popular apprehension, though, traffic movement around the park remained unaffected.
As intended, the vast stretches of green close to the Central Library, behind the government museum, around Bandstand exuded space as entry of vehicles remained prohibited. Solitary joggers and groups of walkers were seen strolling in the middle of the otherwise packed roads. A sense of solitude — a precious commodity in the central business district — pervaded in the stretches.
However, on the other side on King’s Road — between Bal Bhavan entrance and the High Court — chaos prevailed as hundreds of vehicles jostled for space. Park goers parked vehicles on both sides of the narrow road, while bidirectional traffic filled the space in between. Even the battalion of policemen struggled to bring order into the road.
The contrary sides were also evident in the reactions of visitors. AT numerous places banners propped up thanking the traffic police for the vehicular ban.
However, Rangarajan, a senior citizen who was walking his dog in the park, said the rules were a “nuisance” as parking was restricted only to one corner.
M.A. Saleem, Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic), said, “This is only the first time, and we are learning from the experience. As the park becomes open only to people, families come in cars. We will see where additional parking can be provided.” He said there was little observed congestion outside the park.
Much of the confusion stemmed from people unaware of the closed roads, said Deputy Director (Cubbon Park) Mahantesh Murgod. “They enter the parking spot and then realise that the roads are closed. This will reduce as awareness increases,” he said.
