BENGALURU: Long known as an affordable public space for children from every economic background, Jawahar Bal Bhavan in Cubbon Park is steadily losing its inclusive charm as steep tariff revisions and poorly maintained amenities leave visiting families feeling shortchanged.
Today, a visit easily costs Rs 500 for a family of three. Under the revised 2023 rate card, general entry, which was earlier Rs 20 for adults, Rs 10 for children above 10 years and free for those below that age, has now been increased to Rs 50, Rs 20 and Rs 10. Free entry is restricted to only children under five years. Major attractions like the toy train and boating require an additional Rs 50 per head, while peripheral rides cost Rs 30 each.
“We are billed at the entrance gate and then charged separately for every single ride. Given what we pay, we expect a decent experience. Instead, some games remain non-functional,” said Neha Sawant, a parent.
Another visitor, Tariq Mahmood, said, “What used to be a nominal outing costing Rs 50 to Rs 100 has now become an expensive affair. Despite paying for every single section, we still have to endure massive crowds and endless queues for the few rides that actually operate.”
A representation submitted by GR Shivashankar, the president of Karnataka Trade Union Centre, raised serious concerns about administrative mismanagement and privatised operations within the institution, which functions under the Department of Women and Child Development.
The petition stated, “The foundational purpose of Bal Bhavan is being defeated, as the spiralling costs have made the facility unaffordable for economically weaker families.” It urged the state government to urgently intervene.
However, a Bal Bhavan official defended the new tariff. “The departmental allocation must cover multiple overheads, from basic sanitation and electricity bills to staff salaries. Running several mechanical rides requires fuel, and the sharp rise in petrol and diesel prices made a tariff revision inevitable. The traffic park operations were suspended due to recurring battery failures,” the official said.