Bengalureans call to extend park hours to help combat summer heat

Bengaluru: As the city grapples with record-breaking temperatures, a coalition of residents and climate advocates officially petitioned for the reinstatement of extended park hours to combat a growing public health crisis.City-based NGO Heat Watch Foundation and volunteer group, Indian Ploggers Army, submitted a formal request to Jayanagar MLA CK Ramamurthy Wednesday, urging govt to reverse a Dec 2025 decision that shuttered south Bengaluru parks during the hottest hours of the day.Despite a 2024 BBMP mandate to keep parks open from 5am to 10pm, the representation claims that many local green spaces have reverted to restricted schedules, closing their gates between 11am and 4pm.The representation included signatures of over 70 residents from south Bengaluru. Field observations conducted by the group claim these closures have pushed gig workers, street vendors and delivery partners into inadequate spaces, such as building overhangs or narrow strips of pavement outside of locked park gates. Get real-time updates and result insights on the CBSE 12 Result 2026.