Mangaluru: If Bengaluru civic administration could ban major events by political parties, religious organizations, concert arrangers etc at the famous Palace grounds, why can’t the District administration/Mangaluru City corporation take the decision in banning all major events taking place at “Nehru Maidan”, aka “Kendra Maidan” by some organizations. Every time a mega event takes place at this Maidan, life and business in downtown is paralyzed or affected badly.
Once Bangalore’s fabled Palace Grounds was a happening place for the biggest names in the rock and pop firmament like Deep Purple, Roger Waters of Pink Floyd, Metallica, Rolling Stones, Michael Learns to Rock, Black Eyed Peas, Bryan Adams, Enrique Iglesias, David Guetta, Iron Maiden and Lamb of God. These mega concerts had attracted fans in their thousands, even from across the country. But all that became a thing of the past when the state government imposed a blanket ban on such shows at the Palace Grounds with Supreme Court’s nod.
The logic behind the ban was due to the traffic jams on roads leading to the Palace Ground, thereby causing lots of inconveniences to the motorists and public. Further, since Mescom does not provide power for such events, the organisers use heavy-duty generators which can pose a fire risk. The ban on concerts and other mega events at the Palace Grounds, had disappointed music buffs or the organizers of other events for a while, but now the flip side is that by shifting them to the proposed alternative venues little far from the busy city area have satisfied everyone, and has also help trigger growth in those areas.
So, if Bengaluru can do it, why not Mangaluru? Every time a mega rally/event is organized by a religious organization, political parties, etc traffic snarls take place on roads leading from Balmatta road, Hampankatta junction, KS Rao rd, Falnir Rd towards State Bank/Nehru Maidan area. Life gets completely paralyzed around this routes, and businesses lose big time. Commuters trying to catch their trains in time find it hard to reach the Mangalore Central Station due to traffic congestion and sea of people. Mangaluru has seen such kind of problems in the past, and it is still continuing, with the district administration not taking any decisions by banning mega events at Nehru Maidan, and also banning huge processions/rallies passing through these busy downtown streets.
So, if Bengaluru can do it, why not Mangaluru? Every time a mega rally/event is organized by a religious organization, political parties, etc traffic snarls take place on roads leading from Balmatta road, Hampankatta junction, KS Rao rd, Falnir Rd towards State Bank/Nehru Maidan area. Life gets completely paralyzed around this routes, and businesses lose big time. Commuters trying to catch their trains in time find it hard to reach the Mangalore Central Station due to traffic congestion and sea of people. Mangaluru has seen such kind of problems in the past, and it is still continuing, with the district administration not taking any decisions by banning mega events at Nehru Maidan, and also banning huge processions/rallies passing through these busy downtown streets.
Because of one mega event taking place at Nehru Maidan and benefiting only one organization, on the other hand many others have to suffer. Like yesterday’s, VHPs Samajotsava created inconveniences to many other smaller events like weddings, other occasions, conferences-People for these events found it hard to make it to their respective function venues due to traffic jams, traffic diversion and so on. Even for ambulances trying to get the patients to Wenlock hospital was hard – seems like the district authorities/organizers don’t care for a human life. The whole city looked dead, with shops closed, cinema theatres and malls closed. Even restaurants were closed-travelers were left without food. Some shops that were open, were forcibly closed by the cops in the evening. So, if there is fear of violence or trouble, why allow such kind of events take place in a busy city.
Why everyone wants to have their mega event at Nehru Maidan only-why can’t they think of some other remote place where there would be no inconveniences caused to the general public. Just like Bengaluru has mega events organized at venues far from the busy city, Mangaluru should also do that. If people from other towns can come to Mangaluru, I think Mangaloreans can also travel to far distances, if events are organized there. It’s time that the district administration to think seriously about this situation, and come to a decision to ban mega events at Nehru Maidan/any rallies taken through busy city streets. Period.
Speaking to me D M Aslam, the president of District Football Association in despair of the condition of the Nehru Maidan which is frequently used for football practices said, “Despite repeated complaints and memoranda submitted to the DC and the city corporation, nothing has been done to prevent political parties and other organizations from holding programmes on this ground. ‘This is the ground where children/youth/adults use to enjoy their sport. If grounds are occupied this way, there will be no place for them to play. Playground too gets damaged”.
“When I had contacted the MCC officials they told me that there are no rules in place barring organizations from conducting programmes in playgrounds. But, a unanimous decision can be taken by the district administration on that direction. Traffic in the city is affected if a programme is held there. The organizers who have the responsibility of clearing the grounds as soon as the programme is over, take days to clear their mess” he added..
D M Aslam who had been with DKFA for the last 23 years, has been the chairman for the last 12 years speaking to me said, “Actually the Nehru Maidan ground was donated by Albuquerque family decades ago to be used exclusively for sporting events. But the city authorities have been using this ground for other non-sporting programmes, which is not right. DKFA has produced great national level football players like Sanjeev Uchil, T A Rehman, Harishchandra Bangera and many more. We still can train and produce more state and national players only if we have a decent ground with better facilities”.
“But when major events take place at this ground, the ground is ruined by the event organizers when holes are dug on the ground to erect poles or stage. Although DC A B Ibrahim had assured us that he would look into the Nehru Maidan ground issues and will see that no other programmes/events are held there, but as of today no changes are seen. I only hope his assurances will come true, because past DCs had also promised many things but they get transferred before any changes are made. I am really hoping this time the DC will help us out so that football players in Mangaluru will have a better ground to utilize their football playing talents. I will keep my fingers crossed till I see some changes and better results from the district authorities. I only hope they do something this time at least” Aslam urged.
