Citizens protest against HSR Layout cricket stadium construction

By Qamar ZJ

Today, citizens protested against the Rs 140-crore HSR Layout cricket stadium construction on a 7.18-acre open playground in Sector 2, HSR Layout. Despite opposition from the residents during public consultations, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has decided to build a cricket stadium with 10,000 seating capacity. Besides, a four-storied pavilion building is planned along with volleyball and basketball courts, each with a separate seating space. The proposed plan violates the zonal regulations governing public playgrounds.

“It’s an open playground that 500 people can play at a time,” says Sector 2 resident Girish Shivalingaiah, who is also a member of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). “But a cricket stadium can accommodate only 11 players at a time. It is only benefitting the contractor.”

The residents fear privatisation which would deny the local children, the right to play for free. “It promotes events due to a huge seating capacity,” says Shivalingaiah. “There will be a huge environmental impact, especially during an event with 10,000 spectators, such as noise and air pollution, besides causing major parking woes and traffic congestion.” 

There is data to prove that the fear of commercialisation is rooted in reality. One citizen group found through an RTI query that the Kanteerava Stadium and Koramangala Stadium were largely used for non-sports activities, such as exhibitions and conventions. The best example is the Kensington Swimming Pool in Ulsoor that was privatised, and only those who could pay the fees were allowed to enter. Citing this as one of the examples, Indiranagar residents gave a tough fight in the Karnataka High Court that resulted in aborting a stadium plan in their neighbourhood. Their primary contention was that the stadium would rob the children’s right to a free playground.  

The irony of this project is not lost on the residents. Says Agara resident Pallavi T: “What is puzzling is that when the BBMP does not have funds for the general upkeep of the neighbourhood, such as drains, roads, and footpaths, why is it spending such a huge sum on a facility that is of little use to the locals?”

There are more reasons why HSR Layout residents are opposed to the idea of a massive cricket stadium in their vicinity. Click here to read the entire list. In 2008, the HSR Layout residents fought in the Karnataka High Court to win back this playground after five years and 52 court hearings. The residents prevented the conversion of the open space into a residential colony for judges. This time, the situation is different. Without a Detailed Project Report (DPR), based on oral assurances from the authorities that everything will be legal, the Federation of HSR Layout Residents Welfare Association is supporting the project. But the ground reality is different. The zonal regulations dictate that no concrete construction on a playground can exceed 5% of the total area. When Shivalingaiah asked for a copy of the DPR through an RTI application, he hasn’t received a response even after the requisite 60 days. 

The demand of the residents is simple: “No stadium, no seating gallery. No Pavilion building,” says former HSR Layout resident Mohan Dasari, who is also an AAP member. “Retain it as an open playground and have sporting facilities for volleyball, basketball, table tennis, badminton, and so on, without seating galleries.” 

The residents’ next plan is to protest in front of BBMP office in Bommanahalli and at the BBMP headquarters in Town Hall.