Bengaluru: 10 years on, no sportsman can play here

The Basketball Stadium in 15th Cross Malleswaram was closed for renovation nearly 10 years ago, but the proposed indoor stadium is still far from complete. The residents complain that children and sports enthusiasts have no place to play. They also allege that the local corporator’s men and BBMP authorities are threatening them against raising this issue.

Old timers fondly remember the Basketball Stadium in 15th Cross Malleswaram, where adults could shoot hoops and kids played in the park beside. 

It has been a decade since its renovation into an indoor stadium was announced, but it is still not ready.

“Ever since the Stadium went under construction, children of our area have grown up without getting any place to play. No work has happened for 10 years now, with debris, cement, sand covering the pavement," said Gopal Rao, (70) from Malleswaram Resident Welfare Assosciation.

“Apart from the stadium renovation, the park space was also encroached by  HOPCOMS and other food joints. Conversion of residential plots to commercial ones is done easily,” he added.

Shrimanth Shanbag, resident for 14 years, said, “For the last 3 years, I have not seen a single construction worker at the site. I am an engineer and I am 

sure it will take a maximum of 10 months to build this stadium,"Shrimanth also pointed out that the new design reduces the actual space for basketball players, making it useless.

 Local residents claim they repeatedly complained about all the above inconveniences caused by the stadium work.

 “When I went to the AEE office to complain, 7 to 8 men ganged up on me. They told me to get out, threatened to beat and kill me if I raised these issues. Other residents have received threats from Corporator Manjunath’s men and are too terrified to speak out," Rao revealed.The citizens have given up on the fight, but an ageing Rao continues to challenge injustice through legal documentation, addressing letters to everyone in the Government hierarchy. The septuagenarian said he would not be cowed down by BBMP's rowdyism.

‘We will soon call for fresh tenders’
Interview with Chief Engineer Basvaraj, Kadu Malleswaram ward

How far has the stadium work progressed? The tender was awarded and construction began in 2011. The agency was extremely slow, so we cancelled their contract. Work has stopped since and we will soon call for re-tendering of the remaining work.

What is the cause of delay? We wanted a change in the roof design and the contractor disagreed, so we had to call separate tenders just for the roof. There were arguments between the two agencies. The rate we offered did not work for the first contractor and he began demanding more money, citing cost escalation of costs. He increased the price to Rs 3.5 crore from Rs 2.5 crore, so we cancelled the deal.

Residents claim they were threatened by BBMP officials, when they tried to complain about the issues. They have not even approached me or sent any letter stating their concerns. No one has ever threatened them. If they want any public information or response from BBMP, they will get it. Why will we threaten them?

How long will work take? Once the tender is called, it will be finished in four months. There will be a basketball ground and the basement will have a gym.

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