BBMP Parks in Bangalore are open to public only between 5am to 9am and 4pm to 8pm. And people are not allowed to enter between 9am to 4pm. This has to change and the Parks should be made available to all between 5AM to 8PM on all days.

When I spoke to Joint Director, BBMP Horticulture who manages the BBMP Parks in Bangalore, I was told that mainly parks are shut between 9am to 4pm for three reasons

1. Maintenance of Parks needs time and they clean, sweep, mop and plant between 9am to 4pm

2. To stop hoarders and illegal activities within Parks.

3. RWAs and WALKERS ASSOCIATIONS have advised BBMP to close Parks during this time and keep it open for walking only during morning and evening.

So my question is

What would I do if I have to walk during the day that is after 9am? Where do I walk? Where will people working in night shifts walk? What if someone who is out for work/shopping needs to sit and relax for sometime during a hot sunny day or have a meal peacefully or get children to play for sometime during the day. Where would all these people go?

My suggestions to BBMP's three frivolous reasons they gave

1. Get a decent machine to clean, sweep and mop and there are better ways to manage sprinkers and irrigation(drip) lines without disturbing walkers. BBMP collects huge tax and they can certainly buy good equipments to do all the work that is done manually today during these working hours to minimize impact to public.

2. File a complaint in Police Station to tackle the menace of illegal activities or hoarders.

3. Did RWAs and Walkers association really push for these closure of Parks during the day? If so, Are Parks owned by RWAs and Walkers associations? or it a public property where the access has to be free and fair to all?

Please help sign this petition so that our Parks are open throughout the day for us to walk, jog, relax and take our kids for a stroll whenever we find time. Also let me know your thoughts, suggestions and advice please.

Regards, 

Manohar