Bengaluru, May 17 (PTI): Under the 'Brand Bengaluru' initiative, 50 additional parks within the limits of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike are being developed and the rest are being upgraded, a senior official said on Saturday.

Speaking after inaugurating the "Bengaluru Habba" cultural programme held at Bugle Rock Park in the Basavanagudi, Special Commissioner of the Forest, Environment and Climate Change Management, Preeti Gehlot, stated that the BBMP's Horticulture Department is continuously engaged in the maintenance of parks.

"There are 1,287 parks within BBMP limits, all of which are being equipped with seating arrangements for citizens, greenery, fencing, and other amenities. Upgradation work is ongoing across all existing parks. In addition, soak pits (Ingu Gundi) are being constructed in the parks to improve groundwater levels," she said in a statement.

To encourage people to spend more time enjoying the environment, all parks will remain open daily from 5 AM to 10 PM, she said.

She urged residents to help maintain cleanliness in their neighborhood parks and to promote awareness about keeping public spaces clean.

According to the statement, to enhance the park experience for visitors and morning walkers, a unique programme called "Bengaluru Habba" has been launched. It features traditional cultural performances, including Dollu Kunitha (folk drum dance), folk singing, light music, and performances by folk art troupes showcasing the city's heritage and artistic traditions.

"In each of the 27 Assembly constituencies under BBMP's limits, cultural and art-based programmes aimed at promoting children's creativity and public engagement will be conducted in one park per constituency, from now until March 2026," it said.

As part of the "Bengaluru Habba" celebrations, an awareness rally featuring cultural troupes was also organised from Ramakrishna Math Circle to Bugle Rock Park to raise public awareness, the statement added.

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Lakhimpur Kheri (UP) (PTI): Ten people were killed when a van collided head-on with a truck on the Sisaiya-Lakhimpur national highway on Monday, police said.

The van was going to Sisaiya from Lakhimpur when the accident took place between Unchgaon and Bharehta villages.

Circle Officer of Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh, said all nine passengers travelling in the van and the driver were killed.

District Magistrate of Lakhimpur Kheri Anjani Kumar Singh told reporters that the van collided with a truck coming from the opposite direction, leading to nine casualties on the spot, while one succumbed to injuries at the district hospital.

Circle Officer, Dhaurahra, Shamsher Bahadur Singh told PTI, "Efforts are on to establish the identity of other deceased persons."

The seven of the deceased have been identified as Jaideep Singh (25), Pawan (23), Sohan (21), Ram Goyal (42), Sahajram (35), Pappu (18), all residents of Bahraich district and Adnan Khan (15), a resident of Lakhimpur Kheri district, police said.

Condoling the loss of lives in the accident, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in a post on X, said, "The loss of life in the unfortunate road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply distressing and heart-wrenching. My condolences are with the bereaved families."

"I have directed the local administration to provide prompt and adequate assistance to the injured and the victims. I pray to Lord Shri Ram to grant the departed souls a place at His divine feet and to bestow a speedy recovery upon the injured," Adityanath said on X.

Deputy Chief Minister Keshav Prasad Maurya and Brajesh Pathak too condoled the loss of lives in the accident.

"The loss of lives resulting from the road accident in Lakhimpur Kheri district is deeply tragic and heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences go out to the bereaved families," Maurya said.