Cubbon Park walkers object to unicorn statue plan

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru

The Cubbon Park has received a proposal to install a unicorn statue and fitness circuits across the premises, but regular walkers have opposed both the moves and questioned their necessity. The statue is proposed to be installed behind the library. Since it is a deserted area, the renovation will bring changes while simultaneously paying homage to the evolving startup culture in Bengaluru.

It is part of Sahas - an initiative to add aesthetic value to Cubbon Park and upgrade its role as a community centre. The open-air fitness circuits will take up a 2 km stretch and will be furnished with wood-based gym equipment on either side. It is a Swiss-fitness concept. Such circuits can be found in forests across Switzerland and families tend to go on these trails for workouts.

The project is a first of its kind and based on the results after implementation, plans of expansion will be discussed. According to the pilot project, 12 stations with three levels (beginner, intermediate, and expert) are set to come up in the Karagada Kunte vicinity of the park.

“Ninety per cent of the walkers who attended a meeting to discuss the matter are against the proposals,” said H T Balakrishna, Deputy Director of the Horticulture Department (Cubbon Park). Even though officials have promised that the statue will not bring any prominent infrastructural changes to the park, regular visitors see no good coming out of it. They feel the funds must be used to improve the ecosystem in the park, he added.

“The fitness circuit is coming up in collaboration with a Swiss firm. They must take their business elsewhere,” said Umesh K, President of Cubbon Park Walkers Association. He believes it will give rise to commercialisation and corporatisation of the park. Walkers are also sceptical that there might be usage of concrete bases to set up the gym equipment. “The crowd who will come only for the purposes of gyming will vary. The security structure will also be strained in maintaining these new setups,” said Umesh.