Bengaluru: While residential areas are already facing the onslaught of commercialization, Bengalureans are in no mood to compromise with the remaining open spaces. On June 28, newspapers carried tender notification for the indoor basketball stadium project to be built at the only playground at Indiranagar 1st Stage.
“Not only the residents, but the schools also use the ground for extra-curricular activities. This is only ground in the entire stretch of Indiranagar 1st and 2nd Stage. Is it possible to conduct such activities after the proposed stadium comes up,” said a worried Swarna Venkataraman, vice-president of the Indiranagar First Stage league Residents’ Welfare Association.
BBMP, which is supposed to maintain the ground, however, displays its callousness by not removing the debris thrown at the corner of the playground. It not only impedes sports activities, but is also an eyesore.
Team captain of the Indiranagar cricket group MP 11, Vijay who has been playing on the ground since his childhood gets nostalgic even with the striking of a thought that the ground will soon be changed to an indoor stadium.
“We have been playing since the age of four and even our kids play on this ground. Not only the residents of Indiranagar, but those residing in nearby localities also come here to play,” he said.
The ground also signifies the symbiotic relationship between the police personnel and the residents, who often host cricket tournament.
“It will not be a big problem for the police team as we can play on different grounds at Jayanagar, but the residents will definitely get affected as this is the only space
they are left with,” says Sub-Inspector Ajay of the Indiranagar Police Station
The BBMP’s own records claim that the city has 300 playgrounds. However, Ms Venkataraman believes that the numbers could be less than what the civic body asserts.
“The enclosure of the open spaces should not be more than 5%, but the playground already has Nandini dairy’s booth, corporator’s office and other commercial establishments which have occupied more space than the limit specified by Bangalore Metropolitan Region Development Authority (BMRDA), “ she pointed out.
Lambasting the BBMP for not taking care of the playgrounds across the city, including Sree Kanteerava stadium, she said, “The condition of the remaining grounds is in shambles. What will they gain by enclosing the only open space we have in the locality?”
The last date for the submission of the bids is July 20 and the memorandum of understanding will be signed on July 24 after which the construction will be initiated by the BBMP.
