BBMP disowns signed order limiting people's park activities

NT Correspondent
Bengaluru:

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) clarified that the rules prohibiting jogging in parks were not enforced by it. Earlier this week, photos of a board that read ‘no jogging’ had gone viral on Twitter.

What led to the confusion was the mention of BBMP on the board as the authority that had mandated walking in a clockwise direction. Speaking to News Trail, BBMP’s Deputy Director (Horticulture) M R Chandrashekhar said that these rules were probably made by the local residents who use the parks frequently.

“Some parks are small and not suitable for jogging and running. Some other walkers walk backwards, disrupting others’ walks. This might have resulted in the enforcement of such rules,” he said.

Parks to remain open for longer hours

BBMP’s parks will henceforth be open for 11 hours and 30 minutes a day. Previously, parks would open at 5.00 am and close at 10.00 am. In the evening, they would remain open between 4.00 pm and 8.00 pm.

A circular signed by the BBMP Chief Commissioner said that the parks would remain open from 5.00 am to 8.00 pm every day. However, they will be closed to the public from 10.00 am to 1.30 pm for maintenance.

The new timings will not apply to parks adjacent to lakes and lake gardens. “The timings for lakes will remain the same,” M R Chandrashekhar said.