High Court Asks Government to action Traffic-Free Cubbon Park - #HeritageBeku writes to CS
The Hon High Court passed orders on 22nd Oct 2020 the PIL by the CPWA as per the attachment below.
"we can only direct the respondents to consider the recommendation dated 02.09.2020 at Annexure B in its proper perspective and in accordance with law, as expeditiously as possible and within a period of six weeks from today. "
Heritage Beku , who has been working relentlessly on this issue of #TrafficFreeCubbonPark, has vide this letter (emailed) below, immediate escalated it to the Chief Secretary (and concerned respondents) to take necessary action to ban traffic within the given 6 weeks ie 7th December 2020.
7/11/2020
The Chief Secretary
Government of Karnataka
Vidhana Soudha
Bangalore-560001
Dear Sir:
Re: Your kind action on the Order dated October 22, 2020 passed by the High Court of Karnataka in Writ Petition No.10949/2020
As the matter has been referred to you to action as per law, we look forward to your orders and confirmation on traffic free status for Cubbon Park.
The captioned Writ Petition bearing No.10949/2020 was filed by the Cubbon Park Walkers Association against: (1) the State of Karnataka represented by the Chief Secretary; (2) the Home Secretary, Home Department, Government of Karnataka; (3) the Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department; (4) the Directorate of Urban Land Transport, Urban Development Department; (5) the Principal Secretary, Department of Horticulture; and (6) the Deputy Director of Horticulture (Cubbon Park).
After hearing the Parties, the High Court of Karnataka disposed of the captioned Writ Petition by calling upon the Respondents to consider the recommendation dated 02/09/2020 made by the Additional Chief Secretary, Urban Development Department, in its proper perspective and in accordance with law, within a period of six (6) weeks from October 22, 2020.
The recommendations dated 02/09/2020 bearing No.DULT-ITTB0GUPO/1/2020/390 issued by Ms. Manjula V., Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Commissioner & E/o of the Directorate of Urban Land Transport ("DULT"), Urban Development Department, state as follows:
1) A reference has been made to the earlier communication dated 02/07/2020 whereby DULT had recommended that Cubbon Park be closed for all traffic except cyclists and pedestrians.
2) DULT has advised that it is not advisable to reopen Cubbon Park for motorised traffic and that Cubbon Park should be closed for motorised traffic and parking of motorised vehicles should not be allowed in Cubbon Park, for the following reasons:
a. Cubbon Park is a vast green space in the city and its pristine nature needs to be preserved.
b. In various cities across the world, spaces in the city core are being reclaimed for the use of pedestrians and cyclists. Cubbon Park would be an ideal place to be reserved for pedestrians and cyclists in Bengaluru. Pedestrians and cyclists can use the park as a shortcut for reaching their destination.
c. Closing of Cubbon Park to the use of motorised traffic will not cause any inconvenience as motorised traffic has alternate routes to reach their destinations.
We request you to consider the recommendations made by the Additional Chief Secretary to the Government, Commissioner & E/o of DULT and implement them expeditiously and save the lung space of the city from traffic and pollution. We also request you to consider the fact that children and elderly citizens are finding it difficult to use the park for fear of being run over traffic. Further it should be noted that the United Nations has recommended saving every remaining biodiversity ecosphere in order to counter climate change and build a safer planet for future generations. As a progressive city, Bengaluru should lead by example and this process of saving biodiversity should begin with Cubbon Park.
We are confident that you will take the right action and ensure that parking of vehicles and entry of motor vehicles inside Cubbon Park is prohibited in total.
For Heritage Beku,
Priya Chetty Rajagopal
CC:
1) The Home Secretary
Home Department
Government of Karnataka
Vidhana Soudha
Bangalore-560001
2) The Additional Chief Secretary
Urban Development Department
Vikasa Soudha
Bangalore-560001
(Represented by its Director)
3) The Directorate of Urban Land Transport
Urban Development Department
Vikasa Soudha
Bangalore-560001
(Represented by its Director)
4) The Principal Secretary
The Department of Horticulture
Government of Karnataka
Bangalore-560001
5) The Deputy Director of Horticulture
(Cubbon Park)
Government of Karnataka
Cubbon Park
Bangalore-560001