Bhubaneswar, Sept. 20: The development authority has revised the closing time of its parks with immediate effect to provide more time to citizens for leisure.

According to the revised timings, the parks will now open at 4am and close at 11am, and in the evening, they will remain open between 4pm and at 9pm. Earlier, the timing was 9am to 8pm.

The Bhubaneswar Development Authority has started installing signage in the parks mentioning the new timings.

'People's footfall in the parks is on the rise due to more facilities. In view of the growing popularity, we have decided to revise the timings,' said the authority's chief horticulturist A.N. Dhar.

The signage also has the details of officials concerned with their contact numbers, so that people can approach them for giving any feedback or complaints regarding the parks. 'It is important to get feedbacks or complaints regarding the park facilities. On receiving the complaints, we will take steps to resolve the issues. We have appointed a nodal officer for the purpose,' said an official.

Of late, the authority has improved the facilities in its parks. It has introduced open and indoor gyms, respective areas for elderly and children, yoga zone, skating rink and so on. 'We have taken into consideration people's requirements and demands and started introducing specific facilities in the parks. The open gyms are one of the successful initiatives in the list. It does attract more people to the parks,' said the horticulturist.

Jagamara resident Bimala Jena said the definition of the parks had changed.

'Now, it is not only confined to morning walk or spending some leisure time in the evening. Various sections of people now visit the parks to avail themselves of specific facilities,' she said.

The authority maintains 65 small and large parks, including some major ones such as the Indira Gandhi Park and the Biju Patnaik Park, in the city. 'It is a welcome move by the government to increase the park timings,' said Unit-III resident Niraj Maharana.