Residents of Bengaluru's Indiranagar oppose conversion of Victory Ground into enclosed stadium
Residents of Indiranagar 1st and 2nd Stages have objected to a Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) proposal to convert the Victory Ground, the only open playground in the area, into an enclosed stadium with facilities like parking.
A detailed project report (DPR) from the office of a BBMP executive engineer has sparked fears among residents that the project will privatise a public space and restrict access for the community, particularly children from lower-income areas.
The basketball ground at Victory Grounds in Indiranagar 1st Stage is expected to become a tensile-roofed stadium at an estimated cost of Rs. 6.5 crore, with its groundbreaking ceremony scheduled for Thursday.
The residents, while supportive of an upgrade for the basketball court to ensure children's safety, have outlined several grievances regarding the project. In a letter to BBMP Chief Commissioner Maheshwara Rao and Zonal Commissioner (East) Snehal R, a federation of resident welfare associations in Indiranagar, has strongly objected to the proposed enclosure of the playground citing proximity to residential areas and lack of public consultation, among other concerns.
The Indiranagar Basketball Club (IBBC) uses the ground for coaching.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah 's political secretary, K Govindaraj, had made clear the government's interest in constructing a stadium on the Victory Ground. He also heads the Karnataka State Basketball Association and the Karnataka Olympics Association.
Swarna Venkataraman, a core member of the i Change Indiranagar organisation, told indianexpress.com, 'Converting a public playground to an enclosed stadium means cutting off access to the public who have actively used the ground for sporting and other recreational activities. All we are appealing to the government is to allow the ground to serve its natural purpose, which is for everyone to use. The tenders were floated and contractors were selected without transparency and lack of public consultation.'
She added, 'If the government really wants to upgrade, let them improve the existing basketball court. In fact, it was the residents of Indiranagar who pooled CSR funds to build a gate, fix the walls, and ensure cleanliness and hygiene around the playground.'
The residents argue that the playground is situated in a residential zone as per the Revised Master Plan 2015, surrounded by narrow roads less than 40 feet wide. Contrary to the DPR, residents argue that the area lacks adequate parking and that the proposed stadium will exacerbate congestion, noise, and pollution in the residential neighbourhood.
The enclosure of the basketball court has raised fears that access will be limited to the IBBC members. Residents question how the BBMP will ensure continued free access for children from nearby lower-income layouts to the space.
The residents also complain that the IBBC, which charges substantial fees for training, has not contributed to upgrading the playground's facilities over the years. They have demanded clarity on the memorandum of understanding signed by the BBMP and the IBBC, suspecting that the new infrastructure, funded by public money, will primarily benefit the private club and its sponsors.
A similar proposal in 2017 to convert the basketball court into an indoor stadium was halted following opposition from residents and a stay order from the Karnataka High Court. The State Human Rights Commission also opposed the plan, criticising attempts to restrict public access to open spaces. The court stayed the 2017 tender process, noting that the question of whether the construction contributes to the improvement or more beneficial use of the playground requires further consideration.
The residents have emphasised that while they welcome upgrades and regular maintenance of the basketball ground, any development must ensure open access for all and preserve the playground's public character.
They are also contemplating legal action if the government goes ahead with the project.
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