Bengaluru residents fume as civic body ignores court stay on stadium work at Victory Grounds

Time of India

2 days ago

Bengaluru: "A ground where I once played basketball every evening has now turned into a construction zone," says Anand Ramachandran, a long-time resident of Indiranagar, voicing the growing anger in the neighbourhood as BBMP presses ahead with the construction of an indoor stadium at Victory Grounds despite a court-ordered stay issued on May 29.
Anand, 38, who grew up next to the ground, recalls how it was once a thriving hub of community sports. "I've lived here since I was eight. The basketball and cricket games we played here brought together people from across the area. Many of us even went on to represent the state and national teams. The court was open to everyone. What it needed was changing rooms and toilets — not a complete overhaul," he says.
"With building an indoor stadium, there is going to be a lot of discrimination in who will come and play here.
The basketball stadium takes up most of the place, and there is little space for cricket and football. Making it an indoor stadium will change the dynamics of the court, and it will lose its value," he adds.
Another resident, Shany Sunny, says, "We don't want to lose this ground. I was born and raised here. I played here, and now I take my kids here for cycling. This is the only open space for children and families. It's a public space, not a parking lot."
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Recalling her memories, Shany says, "There were times we would all sit and watch inter-college basketball matches here. We came here to learn cycling, play hopscotch, and other games. Imagining it being gone is unacceptable."
The civic body plans to convert the open playground in Indiranagar I Stage into an indoor stadium with a tensile roof, at an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 crore. The stadium is also expected to include a car parking facility — a move residents say will not only eat into the playground but also permanently alter its character.
"This is the only free and open ground in I Stage and II Stage. Why can't BBMP spend the same money on its upkeep instead of turning it into something exclusive and inaccessible?" asks Sneha Nandihal, a resident. "Though there is a stay from the court, BBMP continues to do construction work, which is appalling."
Residents also complain that earthmovers have arrived, approach roads are dug up, and construction material has been dumped at the site. "This place has a history. It was never just about basketball or cricket — it was about community. Turning it into an indoor stadium will destroy that spirit," says Nandihal.