Bhubaneswar: The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) has revised the operating hours of its parks, allowing uninterrupted access on weekends starting December 13. The decision comes in response to repeated appeals from morning walkers, fitness groups, and regular visitors.
Under the new schedule, all BDA-managed parks will remain open from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM on Saturdays and Sundays, eliminating the usual afternoon break. The move aims to enhance public convenience, encourage outdoor recreation, and promote greater use of the city’s green spaces for leisure and fitness.
The Authority has also confirmed that Indira Gandhi (IG) Park will now remain open from 5:00 AM to 8:30 PM every day, offering full-day access throughout the week. Other parks will continue with their existing weekday timings: 5:00 AM to 11:30 AM, and 3:30 PM to 8:30 PM. Updated timing boards will soon be placed at park entrances.
BDA Vice-Chairman Chanchal Rana said the extended weekend hours will provide citizens more flexibility to enjoy park facilities. “We encourage visitors to maintain cleanliness and follow park guidelines to ensure a pleasant experience for everyone,” he added.
BDA manages around 50 major parks in Bhubaneswar-including IG Park, Biju Patnaik Park, APJ Abdul Kalam Park, Madhusudan Das Park, Guru Kelu Charan Mohapatra Park, and Buddha Jayanti Park, which collectively attract nearly 35,000 visitors daily.
Meanwhile, the Authority has begun extensive maintenance, including repainting and repairs of play equipment, to further improve safety and enhance the visitor experience.
