Residents of Bengaluru’s Indiranagar, along with the civic group I Change Indiranagar (ICIN), have strongly opposed the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike’s (BBMP) plan to construct a stadium on the only open and free public playground in Victory Grounds, 1st Stage, Indiranagar. The ground currently serves as a crucial recreational space for local children, especially those from lower socio-economic backgrounds.
Addressing the media at the Bengaluru Press Club on Saturday, May 3, members of ICIN and local residents voiced their protest against the BBMP’s decision, demanding that the space be preserved for the community. According to residents, the civic body plans to replace the existing playground with a stadium and a tensile-roofed basketball court at an estimated cost of Rs 6.5 crore. Currently, the site houses an all-weather basketball court and is used by residents of all ages.
Residents and ICIN members said the construction would restrict public access to the space. They warned that the new facility would likely be ticketed, time-bound, and commercialised for private events, exhibitions, and workshops.
“BBMP has done zero maintenance since they constructed it,” said Swarna Venkataraman, a core member of ICIN and a long-time resident of the area. “ICIN built the gates of the playground, ensured cleanliness, and maintained it. The idea that they can now take it over and exclude us from using it is completely preposterous.”
Sneha Nandihal, co-founder of ICIN, pointed out zoning violations in the proposal. “Indiranagar falls under the BDA layout, where zoning rules mandate that 10-15% of the area must be allocated for parks and open spaces. Indiranagar has just 2%, far below the requirement. This is a serious concern,” she said.
Residents also highlighted the site’s history of attempts at repurposing. “It started with a proposal to build an indoor stadium,” said Swarna. “That plan triggered protests and was taken up by the Bengaluru Development Minister and the State Human Rights Commission (SHRC), which took serious cognisance of the issue. Then a private cricket academy tried to take over the space. In 2017, another proposal to construct a basketball stadium was brought up, which ICIN protested. The matter went to the High Court, which granted a stay. Despite that, the proposal has resurfaced again.”
Anoop Hegde, a resident and entrepreneur who has lived in the neighbourhood for nearly four decades, recalled the ground’s troubled past with repeated encroachments. He underscored the playground’s importance for children from marginalised communities. “It is the children from lower socio-economic backgrounds we are most concerned about. If the playground is lost, we can still afford to send our children elsewhere—but what about them?” he said.