Extended park hours scrapped in south Bengaluru after misuse claims, low footfall | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Over a year after the city threw open neighbourhood parks for longer hours to encourage greater public use, Bengaluru South city corporation has reversed course, rolling back the extended timings amid concerns of misuse and encroachment during low-footfall periods. As per a circular issued Friday by the corporation, parks that were earlier open from 5am to 10pm will now function only from 5am to 11am and again from 4pm to 8pm, signalling a return to the pre-extension schedule.While the extended hours had been introduced in response to public demand, with the aim of making parks more accessible to walkers, fitness enthusiasts and families, civic officials said sparse footfall during late evenings created opportunities for anti-social and “immoral” activities, causing discomfort and embarrassment to local residents.Officials said limited manpower and inadequate monitoring made it difficult to prevent such unauthorised use of parks. “With fewer visitors during extended hours, parks were being misused, prompting the commissioner to withdraw the extended timings order. Many residents have also welcomed the move after witnessing such activities,” a senior official from South city corporation said.The revised timings are intended to restore order and ensure public safety at these parks, with the authorities adding the decision may be reviewed based on public feedback.Meanwhile, officials from North, East, and West city corporations said they have not received any orders to change park timings and have not recorded complaints of misuse so far. They added that enforcement remains in place and security arrangements are adequate. However, Central city corporation is deliberating the issue. “We have received a few complaints about liquor consumption, bottles strewn around, and other activities inside parks. The matter is under consideration,” a spokesperson said.Residents dividedSouth city corporation’s decision has drawn mixed reactions from residents. KS Bhat, managing trustee of Sarakki Lake Area Improvement Trust in JP Nagar, welcomed the move, citing severe manpower constraints. “In large parks, it is extremely difficult to monitor activity throughout the day with just three or four personnel. We often find liquor bottles strewn around inside by morning,” he said.However, some senior citizens expressed disappointment. Kesari Prasad, a resident of JP Nagar 6th Phase, called the rollback a setback. “Extended hours allowed seniors to spend more peaceful time in parks. Reverting to the old schedule limits access and affects our daily routine,” he said.In June 2024, the govt had announced extended park timings — from 5am to 10pm — across Bengaluru to increase public access, covering over 1,200 neighbourhood parks under BBMP (now the Greater Bengaluru Authority). Cubbon Park and Lalbagh, managed by the horticulture department, continued to function under separate schedules.(With inputs from Sanjana Rao)