Protest for free space: Bengaluru Indiranagar residents want playground over stadium

Residents of Indiranagar protested against Bengaluru development minister KJ George’s decision to construct an indoor basketball stadium on a playground on Saturday, reported The Times of India.

On July 4, George announced that the indoor stadium would be used by children to play basketball, football and other games. He said that the playground would be developed into an indoor basketball stadium and the BMRCL offices would be constructed on the upper floors.

The decision, residents allege, was taken without prior consultation with them.

Residents had reclaimed the open space from a cricket coaching company recently.

Many residents feel that getting a stadium would make the playground inaccessible to them.

Residents claim that George’s plan should not be allowed as the Urban development department in February 2015 had rejected BMRC’s plans to build an office in the locality.

Many others are worried about disappearing free spaces in highly concretized areas like Indiranagar.

"This is the only playground for children in the whole of Indiranagar stage 1 and 2. They will be depriving children of an open play area,” said Rebecca Kurien, resident of Indiranagar 1st Stage.