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Time of India
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Indiranagar residents oppose stadium plan on playground
Bengaluru: Residents of Indiranagar have strongly opposed BBMP's decision to construct a stadium on the only open and accessible playground in their area — Victory Grounds in Indiranagar I Stage. The sudden announcement of a Rs 6.5-crore project, which includes a tensile-roofed stadium over the existing basketball court, has triggered outrage among the local community. "This is the only BBMP playground available to I and II Stage residents. It is used daily by children from the locality, nearby schools and from low-income neighbourhoods. Converting it into a stadium will restrict access and benefit only a select few," said Swarna Venkataraman, core member of I Change Indiranagar. Residents are also questioning the lack of transparency. "In 2017, we secured a high court stay on a similar indoor stadium plan. Despite this, BBMP revived the project without public consultation," said Sneha Nandihal, co-founder of I Change Indiranagar. Local groups argue that such a project will increase traffic and pollution in the already crowded neighbourhood. "The DPR falsely claims the playground is surrounded by wide roads. In reality, it's located in a densely packed residential zone. The proposed car park alone will consume the entire ground," said Ashok Sarath, president of Defence Colony Resident Welfare Association. Calling for equitable access to public spaces, residents demanded that the Rs 6.5 crore be used instead to maintain and improve the existing playground. "Why enclose the only lung space left in our locality?" said DV Ashok, president of 1st Stage League RWA.
Time of India
03-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Excluding solid waste management fee from tax rebate unfair, say Bengaluru residents
Bengaluru: The BBMP's decision to extend the 5 % rebate deadline for property tax payments to May 31 has not enthused property owners. Reason: Exclusion of solid waste management (SWM) user fee from the rebate calculation. Slamming the move as 'deception' and 'unfair' in the backdrop of the civic body's poor track record in service delivery, residents argued that not giving rebate on SWM user fee undermines the purpose of the incentive. However, BBMP officials defended the move, saying the user fee has been excluded as this is the first time it is being collected after being introduced. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Swarna Venkatraman, a member of I Change Indiranagar, said: "The very fact that we have to pay SWM fee is unfair, given that Bengaluru has become a garbage city from a garden city... Instead of looking for integrated solutions, BBMP has decided to tax taxpayers yet again, and not giving us this rebate when BBMP's payment system had issues is further rubbing salt into our wounds." For many residents, the grievance is not just about money, but about the absence of logic and transparency. SWM fee, often amounting to nearly half the total tax bill, is mandatory and yet excluded from the rebate computation. Sneha Nandihal, another member of I Change Indiranagar, said, "When the downstream processing of SWM hasn't changed, what is the extra fee for? We're still dealing with mixed waste being sent to landfills, leachate in lake and river waters, and poison in the soil." Others pointed out that while the rebate scheme is a good incentive, its benefits are undercut by BBMP's dismal delivery record. Naresh Sadashivam from Save Voices of Sarjapura said, "If I'm not mistaken, BBMP has waived SWM fee for bulk generators like apartment complexes that process their own waste. If that's true, it is a step in the right direction. As for the discount, I agree with the new rule, as long as the additional money goes into a separate SWM account and BBMP keeps the city clean of garbage." He added, "The trouble is BBMP collects fees but has never delivered quality service — whether it is good roads, encroachment-free footpaths, streetlights or drainage systems. People, therefore, turn cynical and don't feel good about paying a fee for anything. I belong to an area that includes Bellandur, ORR and Sarjapur Road — a place that is the gold standard of BBMP's terrible service quality." Vinod Jacob from Namma Bengaluru Foundation pointed out that while extending the rebate deadline is a positive step, the Palike has failed to address its deeper trust deficit with citizens. "SWM cess is being collected but garbage collection and monitoring are not happening. Basic civic amenities like streetlighting, road cleaning, desilting, footpath maintenance and black spot clearance are not being monitored."
