Hudson Skywalk affecting Cubbon Park + Stop Noise Pollution at Park
- Priya Chetty
- Jul 10
- 3 min read
10 July 2025
Smt. Syamla Iqbal
Secretary – Horticulture
MS Building
Ambedkar Veedhi
Bangalore 560001
Dear Ms Iqbal:
Subject : Concern re proposed skywalk coming up at Cubbon/Hudson Circle as well as issue of noise pollution
SKYWALK: As this will dramatically impact Cubbon park’s delicate biodiversity, it’s greenery, aesthetics and function, we would earnestly request this issue is taken up by Horticulture and resolved, as it will be damaging to Cubbon Park. I am surprised that Horticultures inputs and suggestions were not incorporated in this pointless and pro-advertiser-skywalk and would request you to kindly intervene and address this at least now.
We understand that skywalk is proposed to be built at Hudson Circle in Bengaluru, connecting Cubbon Park to the BBMP head office. This 150-meter skywalk will be the longest in the city upon completion and is designed to apparently improve pedestrian safety and access between these two busy areas. The project is been hurriedly launched without any public consultation and executed under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. It is expected to be completed within 12 months. It is unnecessary and actually blocks the existing sidewalks for pedestrians . A version was launched in 2017 and shot down, but it seems to have quietly reappeared.
Location: The skywalk will span from Raja Ram Mohan Roy Road, across Kasturba Road, linking to Vokkaligara Sangha Bhavan, and ending at the BBMP headquarters near Hudson Circle (also known as Corporation Circle).
Purpose: The primary goal is apparently to provide a convenient way for pedestrians, particularly those moving between Cubbon Park and the BBMP office, to cross the busy roads and intersections at Hudson Circle, but it is both ugly, intrusive and does not achieve the purpose.
Design & Timeline : The structure is designed to be modular and built with a PPP model. The project is scheduled for completion within 12 months.
Public Sentiment: While the project is intended to improve pedestrian safety, walkers at Cubbon etc and residents have expressed concerns about the need for such a structure, suggesting that traffic-calming measures and pedestrian crossings at ground level might be more effective alternatives, according to a report by Deccan Herald and Times of India
Potential Issues: Some concerns have been raised about the potential impact on the park itself, with some arguing that the skywalk could be an eyesore and disrupt the park's biodiversity, delicate ecosystem, aesthetics and tranquillity, according to an online report
We request these be taken up on priority.
NOISE POLLUTION: and Cubbon Park Biodiversity: In addition, we also have major concerns on noise pollution that affects Cubbon Park’s delicate biodiversity. As you know, Cubbon Park has been given the status of a silent zone, with no honking etc. However Bars, pubs and hotels around, are playing loud music, even fireworks , totally crossing acceptable noise pollution levels and severely affecting flora and fauna. The Supreme Court has issued very strong warning on noise pollution and the then DGP Praveen Sood filed an affidavit to this effect. if police ignore this, it amounts to contempt of court. Recently at Kanteerva Stadium, there was loud, non-green firecrackers (illegal as per Supreme Court) explosions after some big javelin event even causing death of some birds . We already know the impact of the IPL crowds and the stampede on Cubbon Park’s flora and fauna. Therefore, we sincerely urge you to please write a strong letter to the police commissioner/central ACP to address this issue very seriously, as well as to surrounding areas like Kanteerva Stadium , KSCA, etc in advance of celebration and noise levels. If we do not take this pre-emptive step, Cubbon Park will lose its biodiversity irrevocably and be at the mercy of these organisations and damaging illegal noise levels on an ongoing basis.
We look forward to your decisive action on this.
Thanking You
Yours Sincerely
Priya Chetty-Rajagopal
Founder , Heritage Beku
CC: Ms Kusuma DD Cubbon Park
CC: Those concerned
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