Cubbon Park was developed during the British administration
of the Country in the year 1864. The Park connected Cantonment and City areas
of Bangalore, which were managed by Cantonment Board and City Municipality
respectively. The population of the City during that period was 1,25,000.
The original area of Cubbon Park included the Raj Bhavan,
area occupied by Vidhana Soudha,and the other areas to the West of Vidhana
Veedhi. The area actually used for park purpose now is the area behind the
public buildings facing Vidhana Veedhi and Nrupathunga Road on the West, part
of K.G. Road on the South,Kasturba Road on the East, and Queens Road and Raj
Bhavan Road on the North.
Important public buildings located along the boundary of the
Park are the High Court, Secretariat Club, K.P.T.C.L., and Revenue Survey Offices.
Public offices, Reserve Bank of India, Yavanika Youth Center, YM.C.A,Police
Head Quarters, Civil Courts, Raitha Sangha, Public Library, Century Club,
Fisheries Department, Indira Gandhi Children's Library, Tennis Stadium, Museum,
Visveswariah Technological Museum, Cubbon Park Police Station, Aquarium, Bal Bhavan,
Central Telegraph Office, and the Head Post office.
Only on Kasturba Road a couple of private buildings and a Petrol
Bunk exist. After deleting the areas occupied by the buildings along the
periphery the actual useable park area is about 200 acres. visible on all the
important boundary roads. Actual park area available should be improved to
provide.
Many such parks should have come up in this large City,
which has a population of about 60 lakhs at present. Considering the demand for
parks, the Bangalore Development Authority proposed the Bangalore Palace
covering about 400 acres as the Third City level Park in the Comprehensive
Development Plan of Bangalore approved by Government in the year 1984 along
with four large Regiona1.parks in the four corners. So far these proposals are
not implemented.
The area of Cubbon originally notified was reduced by
allowing public buildings mentioned along the boundary Roads. It is necessary
that park should be visible on all the important boundary roads. Actual park
area available should be improved to provide maximum recreational facilities to
the citizens of Bangalore.
At present the facilities available for recreation in
addition to the greenery; are roads and paths for morning and evening walks,
concrete benches, BAL Bhavan for children, Band Stand, Tennis Stadium, Museums,
Aquarium, public library, children's library, and fountains.
The following
improvements/ actions were implemented during the last three years:
1.High
ornamental grill provided along the boundary of the Park on Queens Road and
near BAL Bhavan.
2.Concrete
paving blocks provided on the footpaths of two roads within the park.
3.Garbage bins.
4.Drinking water
fountain near the Fountain opposite to Maharaja's Statue.
5.Prohibition of
traffic between 5.00 am and 8.00 pm for accident free and pollution free
walking and Jogging.
6.Weekly music
programmer reintroduced on Sundays at 6.30 a.m.
While the above are the improvements for park activity, the
following problems continue affecting proper use of the Park:
1.Cleanliness: Regular sweeping of dry leaves and
waste food packets are not observed.
2.Hedges: Hedges iq the Park are not maintained. Hedges are missing
at many places. Hedges along the boundaries of different portions of the Park
and the animal shaped hedges are not trimmed.
3.Old Trees: We observe branches of trees or trees
falling after every rain with heavy winds. The old trees are not safe and
require to be removed.
4.Water
bodies: The Lotus Pool in front of BAL Bhavan does not retain
enough water. There is only little quantity of foul smelling stagnant water.
5.Toilets:
Thousands of people use the Park from morning to night. But there are no
toilets for the convenience of park users.People urinate at various points of
the park making it unsanitary and unhealthy.
6.Stray
dogs: Stray dogs fed by the people with old food, bread or bun,
mixtures etc. are found in groups at the entry points. The stray dogs disturb
the pet dogs taken by the park users while walking in the park.
7.Benches: Many concrete benches are broken and are not fit for use.
8.Illumination: Many areas in the park are not properly
illuminated and such areas are risky during nights.
9.Fountains: Fountains are not maintained.
10.
Restaurants: There are no restaurants or kiosks for
food, cool drinks, fruits etc.
For the past three years; Government have done a good job in
improving the City including restoration of lakes, landscaping of traffic
islands, road medians etc. Improvement of Cubbon Park and other parks should be
taken up .Major proposals for parks suggested in the C.D.P. should also be
taken up like ; forming the Bangalore Palace area as the Third City level Park,
forming Central Jail area as Children's Park and forming Regional parks
proposed in the City in four comers of the City with natural environment.
The
following are the proposals suggested:
1.Prohibition of Buildings: No more construction activity should
be allowed, at the park has already lost its beauty by buildings along Vidhana
Veedhi and Nrupathunga Road and partly on Kasturiba Road and Raj Bhavan Road.
2.Survey
Plan: Survey Plan with contours may be got prepared to a detailed
scale showing every tree, buildings, and other physical features. The contours
will be useful to plan the lakes and their water spread. Survey Plan will be
useful for preparing other proposals for improving the park.
3.Pools: The natural valleys in the park should be identified. There
is one natural valley which runs from Queens Road leaving Kasturba Road near
Museum. A series of pools may be formed by constructing stone masonry
bunds/weirs across the valley to store water. Running water and water falls
along the valley should be arranged by a suitable pumping system.
4.Picnic
spots: Picnic spots may be created around the pools to be formed
near the existing groups of trees.
5.
Benches: Groups of ornamental concrete benches may be arranged under
shady trees and around lakes for use by the public.
6.
Illumination: The park should have suitable lighting
at spots where public assemble; at fountains, along path ways etc.,There
should be not be any dark spots to avoid security risks.
7.
Children's Zoo: In large cities it is difficult for
children to see even animals like cow and horse. A Children's Zoo may be
established in Cubbon Park with animals and birds in the area around the pools
along the natural valley. This will enable children to know the natural
environment. Small horse, camel ,and an elephant of the Zoo may be used to give
Joy rides to the children.
8.
Kiosks: It is unhealthy for people to eat food articles sold by
vendors. It is suggested to arrange groups of kiosks at entry points and at
spots where people assemble for selling hygienic food, cool drinks and ice
creams, diary and bakery products, art and crafts, magazines and books, toys
etc., The spots suggested are the entry from M.G Road side, at entry near
C.T.O, on the Northern side of High Court, near the Public Library, and at the
Fountain near Maharaja's Statue.
9.
Roads and paths: Paving blocks may be provided on the
footpaths along roads and on the pedestrian paths within the Park. At
several points, drainage is not good and water stagnates on roads. Such spots are
opposite to Press Club, behind the old K.G.I.D. Building and in front of Tennis
Stadium.
10.
Landscaping: Very old trees should be removed and
double the number of trees planted at these spots. Landscaping may be improved
with evergreen and flowering trees in areas without trees. Lawns may be
maintained. Wherever hedges are missing the same may be provided and trimmed at
regular intervals. Creepers and selected species of may be arranged at the Band
Stand plants/ trees may be provided.
11.
Fountains: Existing fountains should be made operative and new ones
to be located at suitable spots where people assemble. Colourful lighting may
be arranged in the fountains during evenings.
12.
Sulab Shouchalayas: Two or three well maintained sulab
shouchalayas should be arranged near the Bal Bhavanl Tennis Stadium, near
Queens Park, and near Public Library for the convenience of large number of
park users.
13.
Tall Tower: A Tall tower with lift may be arranged
to view the different parts of the Park as well as illuminated roads and buildings all round.
14.
Chariot: Small chariot drawn by a pony to take the
children around the park may be arranged for them to enjoy.
15.
Cultural Programmes: Music programmes arranged on Sunday mornings
at 6.30 a.m. is not convenient for music lovers to enjoy the music. Music
programmes may be arranged on Sunday evenings from 6.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. at
the Band Stand.Programmes of amateurs and upcoming artists may be arranged
during the week days to enable them to get used to audiences. Folk dances,
dramas, bharatnatyam and other dances, music competitions ,magic, boxing, debates,
and other programmes may be arranged during the week days.
16.
Public Speaking Platform: Those willing to speak on public
issues or social aspects may be provided with a platform in the raised steps
area at the King's Statue.
17.
Resources: Companies may be allowed to maintain
different portions/ aspects of the proposals and publicity/ advertisement
benefits to a limited extent be allowed.
18.
Security: Security may be provided by the Cubbon Park Police Station
including mounted police.
A large City like Bangalore requires the above facilities
and may be arranged by Government without any delay.
For more details,
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