Sports Lovers in Bengaluru Oppose Commercialization of Playground in the Guise of Development

Sports lovers in Bengaluru oppose commercialization of playground in the guise of development

B R Ambedkar ground, Murphy Town, Bengaluru

Unplanned construction in the name of development has robbed city dwellers of precious lung space, and we have nothing to show to the current generation as to what is a footpath or a playground. But who really cares, governments come and governments go. The residents of Murphy Town Bangalore are up in arms against the destruction of the only playground in the area in the name of development.

Development at what cost

BBMP the acronym for Break, Build, and MessupPerptually is appropriate to describe the shortsighted move of the authorities in Murphy Town Bengaluru. Most of you who have travelled on the Metro towards Byapanahalli would have seen an aerial view of the sprawling playground tucked in the by-lane off Vivekananda Road. This playground has a history and is one of the few remaining open spaces in the city for the rich, poor, young, old, and all. This ground has been the nursery of great sporting talent that has made our country proud in hockey and football. Today, this ground lies in shambles – Destroyed in the name of development.

Concern of the residents

The ground also known as Dr Ambedkar Playground is the only playground for hundreds of Government school children nearby. Accessible to one and all. If the government has its way this will make way for an exclusive stadium with a gallery and commercial establishments on the periphery. Demolition has already begun and what remains on this once beautiful ground is a cesspool of rainwater and debris. No public-private partnership has benefitted the people other than the commercial interests of the stakeholders states Renold George, an entrepreneur and a former national Junior football player himself. He cites the example of the Bangalore football stadium in Ashok Nagar. The BDFA stadium today wears a deserted look overshadowed by the commercial complexes around it. Due to lack of facilities the beautiful games such as hockey and football have lost its charm and youngsters have no opportunities to practice. “You do not need high tech infrastructure to popularize football, hockey, or athletics. All you need is an open ground and that is what is attractive to all sections of society. Any commercial exploitation would make this ground exclusive to the privileged and become inaccessible to the marginalized sections” He said.

Senior citizen and former hockey player for Primrose Hockey club and Ex ITI civil engineer, Mr Kadirvelu, a regular walker in the ground – said “The plan is not designed with free lung space for any sports players, there is not enough free space in the plan. I see no importance given to the playground area, more space consumed to the gallery, where there will be no spectators, and commercial shops planned should be immediately dropped”.

Junior men world cup held at Australia / coach of senior women & men – Mr Edward Brient, who also mentored many state and national players, Said – this is the only playground for senior citizens and future players, this ground produced more than 150 national players and 15 international players in the field of hockey and football. This is an unfortunate case of the fence eating the crop. The government should protect public space instead of commercially exploiting it. He says that this is not the first time the authorities are trying to destroy the stadium, earlier too the government had plans of converting this playground into a Bus Depot but we unitedly objected and thwarted their plans. This time too we hope to the successful.

Children need free open spaces and it is very sad that the playground is destroyed. Bangalore needs lots of playgrounds. Don’t deprive the children of their play area said, B. Subbaiah Hockey Olympian and Arjuna Awardee, Asian Games Gold Medalist.

Amous, a footballer, is nostalgic about this ground. “This ground is my home ground where I grew up to be a professional footballer, he said. He is a footballer who has represented the State and played for leading clubs in I-league as well as ISL. “He wants the ground to be retained with the same soil without any cement buildings or structures coming in or around the ground.

What is at stake

The playground now measures 7875 square meters. As per the proposed development plan by BBMP, the playground will be reduced to 3375 square meters and the remaining 4000 square meters will be used for commercial development which will destroy the ecosystem of the ground and will eventually end up as the parking lot for the commercial complex thus depriving any sporting activity. Time and again BBMP with its lopsided budget estimates allocates more than 60 % of its 10000 crores annual budget on Infrastructure. In spite of all this, the state of infrastructure in the city is a topic for another day. Why the officials and elected are excited about projects is an open secret that everyone from top to bottom has a vested interest. Ask any PWD contractor and he will share the percentage of money that has to be kicked back. This exercise by the BBMP is not in the interest of development or to promote sporting activity but it is only to commercially exploit the real estate value of the public property. The authorities should take into consideration the views of the local people before executing any PPP and this should be no exception and the project should be immediately stopped.

All in one voice demand that the commercial development plan of the playground be dropped

All the sports lovers, residents of Hoysala Nagar Ward 80 in CV Raman Nagar Constituency, and well-wishers in one voice have expressed their objection to this proposed commercial exploitation. They have come together in opposition and have written to the Bangalore Development Minister / M P Bangalore Central / Assembly MLA, Sir. C.V. Raman Nagar constituency /BBMP Administrator / BBMP Commissioner / BBMP Joint Commissioner requesting that the proposed plan be dropped and the ground be restored to its original condition and status quo maintained.

The only hope of all the people who have come together to Save this Playground is that the elected and the officials will pay heed to their request and take a decision in the larger interest of the people.

Generations unborn will be grateful to these people who have come together to save this playground for them.

There is an online petition on change.org.  Click here to read and sign the petition.