Morning walks are unsafe for women

“I’ve been visiting Lalbagh for the last 10 years. It is like a heaven on earth and a precious gift for health-conscious people. Many say a daily visit to the Lalbagh keeps the doctor away. As far as amenities at the Lalbagh are concerned, the authorities are working hard to ensure greenery in the park. It is the best place for people to have a walk.However, the authorities have to pull up their socks to make Lalbagh free from nuisance. It is nauseating to see many men relieving themselves wherever some space is available. There are many toilets in the park and there is no usage fee upto 9 am, yet they do not bother to use them. The need of the hour is to inculcate civic sense. I hope that they realise what they are doing is wrong. Most of them are educated but relieve themselves near bushes or near the compound walls.The other disadvantage is insufficient lighting, especially near the Siddapur Gate. There are incidents of chain snatching. Many women are afraid to enter the park in the early hours or in the evening. I do not see any security guard here in the morning.My suggestion to the authorities is to develop the pathway on the lake bund. During monsoon, it becomes slushy making it difficult for women to use it.”Picture by Nagaraja Gadekal