HSR Layout sports stadium construction to begin from today!

By Qamar ZJ

The controversial sports stadium project is taking off today with a bhoomi pooja despite massive opposition to the idea of a multi-purpose sports stadium, with emphasis on cricket, in the midst of a residential area. The residents believe that this would result in undue pollution and congestion in and around the area, besides denying children the right to an open playground. While the authorities are telling the residents that all the laws will be respected while improving this playground, the biggest issue here is that there is complete lack of transparency. There is no Detailed Project Report (DPR) or the tender details being shared either with the residents or the media. It is a Rs 140-crore project to be done in phases. 

Waste of public money

“This could only mean that an attempt is being made to gobble up public money in the name of public welfare,” said one concerned resident of HSR Layout. “If they are planning an indoor stadium and a viewing gallery for 5000 people, it cannot be done in 5% of the total area.” This is a credible opinion. According to the zonal regulations, the civic agency can build open air theatres, sports clubs, libraries, milk booths, HOPCOMS stall, and indoor recreational spaces, and a dwelling for watchmen, but the area cannot exceed 5% of the total area. Importantly, the concrete structures cannot be more than ground plus one floor (G+1). There is no room for any basement structure. In such circumstances, the original idea of an underground parking facility for 200 cars isn’t legally tenable. Similarly, the viewing area for 5000 people is also not possible as that is a concrete structure that violates this crucial rule. 

Only oral assurances

The Federation of HSR Layout Residents Welfare Association also does not have a copy of the DPR or the tender specifications. “The BBMP officials asked us to file an RTI and get the details,” says HE Chandrashekar, Chairman of the Federation. “The development of the playground will be done as per the rules and legal regulations. The concrete structures in the sport complex will be less than 4%, according to BBMP officials.”

HSR Federation is supporting the plan without DPR

While the federation is contending that the plan is “totally modified” to avoid future legal complications, there is no transparency. “We don’t have any details on the viewing gallery,” says Chandrashekar. “All we know is that the 15% area that was earlier earmarked for construction purposes is reduced to less than 4% where only a small structure will come up.” Based on oral assurances from the BBMP without a DPR in hand and without a public consultation on this revised plan, the Federation is asking the residents to “support our MLA in this positive and beneficial development of the BBMP ground”. Our queries to the BBMP chief engineer (Bommanahalli) went unanswered. 

For those who are reading this story for the first time, hit this link to know why the residents of HSR Layout are opposed to the idea of a stadium.