The installing of air purifiers inside Cubbon Park has drawn criticism on the air pollution in the city from sections of citizens, who are suggesting demotorising the space instead.
Putting up a photo of one of the purifiers installed outside the Karnataka State Lawn Tennis Association inside the park, Srinivas Alavilli from Citizens for Bengaluru wrote on social media: “Welcome to Garden City! Don’t pinch yourself. This is no photoshop magic! Real picture of real air purifier in real Cubbon Park! Surrounded by... trees!”
This drew a lot of criticism from other citizens. “A tree is also an air purifier! What fools we got for city administrators!” said one comment, while another said, “Cubbon Park has become a parking zone and a thoroughfare for vehicles. It’s such a pity. Where this filter is placed is always jammed.”
Another citizen said: “Cubbon park has become Carbon park. Sad.”
Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Alavilli said, “This is enough to remind us what our city has become and hopefully it will inspire lakhs of citizens to rise up and demand better air quality. By putting this up, the government publicly acknowledged that we have a problem. That’s a great first step to solving the problem.”
S. Umesh, president, Cubbon Park Walkers’ Association, said setting up of the purifier was among a slew of ‘commercial exercises’ that have been happening inside the park.
“The first thing they need to do is stop allowing vehicles inside. Cubbon Park has become a parking lot. Let them focus on other important, necessary tasks like putting up compound walls, CCTV cameras and ensuring security,” he said.
Mahantesh Murgod, Deputy Director, Cubbon Park, said a private company had installed the purifier as a CSR activity on a trial basis.
“Lakhs of vehicles pass through the park from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Road dust and fumes from vehicles are in the air. We have not paid anything for this. The company has done this voluntarily on a trial basis,” he said.
