The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) announced extended operating hours for its parks after receiving repeated requests from morning walkers, fitness enthusiasts, and visitors.
Starting December 13, all BDA-managed parks will remain open from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, and therefore eliminate the usual afternoon closure.
As a result, residents will enjoy uninterrupted access to green spaces during weekends. Moreover, the Authority explained that the change promotes recreational activities, improves convenience, and encourages citizens to use parks for leisure, fitness, and gatherings.
In addition, Indira Gandhi (IG) Park will follow a unique schedule by staying open from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM every day of the week. Meanwhile, other parks will continue weekday timings of 5:00 AM to 11:30 AM and 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Furthermore, BDA will display updated timing boards at park entrances to inform visitors.
BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana highlighted that the decision enhances the recreational experience for city residents. He also urged visitors to maintain cleanliness and follow park rules while enjoying the extended hours.
Currently, BDA manages 50 prominent parks across Bhubaneswar, including IG Park, Biju Patnaik Park, APJ Abdul Kalam Park, Madhusudan Das Park, Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Park, and Buddha Jayanti Park. On average, nearly 35,000 people visit these parks daily, which underscores their importance as community spaces.
Additionally, BDA has initiated maintenance and repainting work for play equipment in several parks. This effort aims to improve safety and enhance the overall visitor experience.
