BENGALURU: Residents of Koramangala have started an online petition to save a portion of playground at Koramangala 3rd block, which is going to make way for a school to be run by a private education trust.
About one acre is being used for construction of school run by M/s Ananda Social and Educational Trust. The petitioners are not against a school coming up, but are concerned about a school eating up playground space, which existed for over two decades. Actually, a new school can be located at any other place rather than bulldozing a park, said S. Manoj, one of the petitioners. The proposed school is coming up on the ground where youths and children were playing football. Considering the population in Koramanagala 3rd Block this is the only decent playground. Unfortunately, school authorities have started construction work by excavating some portion of the earth and laying foundation, said petitioners.
The playground loses its charm once a school or a concrete structure comes up on the ground. The major portion of the ground will be utilized for school development activities and regular playground users may be deprived of their opportunity to play there, Manoj observed.
“We have already approached the local MLA and Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy to save the playground. The minister has assured to look into the issue and try to retain the playground. However, our online petition will be on until we get the playground back,” Manoj said.
The playground, spread over three acres near post office in Koramangala 3rd block, attracts hundreds of children and youth for regular exercise. An online petition started by about 200 people has been getting solid support from those who are encouraging sports and physical activities. The playground has facilities like flood lights, seating arrangement for spectators and toilet too. When the ground is beautifully developed why a school building should be allowed to spoil the aesthetics and spirits of youths who regularly go there to play, petitioners said.
Ramalinga Reddy told Deccan Chronicle that the proposed site leased to education trust about 25 years ago. Considering the sentiments of the youths and children the trust has been assured an alternative site for the school. However, a meeting will he arranged with trustees of the school for their response, he added.
What’s on offer at the ground
The ground has a flood-lit basketball and volleyball court
The entire playground has been levelled and graded. Football and cricket enthusiasts play here regularly
The ground boasts of a well planned stadium-like seating arrangement for the benefit of spectators.
In order to avoid discomfort to nearby residents, a fence has been erected. The height of nets separating the park and the playground is about 15 metres
A volunteer runs a library at the park and the books are contributed by residents of the block.
It also has an extensive waste management and recycling programme creating compost out of dry leaves
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