Why HSR Layout residents don’t want a sports stadium

By Zahid H Javali

There is intense discussion among HSR Layout residents on why a multi-purpose sports stadium on the BBMP Grounds in Sector 2 would be an unmitigated disaster for the residents. With the Karnataka chief minister scheduled to lay the foundation stone for this 140-crore project sometime this week, the residents want him to stop this project from taking off before it’s too late. Instead, they would want the same money to be spent in beautifying and maintaining it, perhaps with a small auditorium and library, a functioning jogging/walking track, and a citizen monitoring committee that ensures that there won’t be more than FIVE days of non-sports events in any given month. The Karnataka High Court order clearly implied that the change of land use from playground to residential site was illegal, and that the playground should be restored. Therefore, anything the authorities do to alter this status quo would amount to a contempt of court. It should remain a playground and not become a high-tech cricket stadium that will attract people by the thousands.

We list the key reasons outlined by concerned citizens, so you get a ringside view of why having an international stadium is not good for the inhabitants of a small residential area like HSR Layout. 

• This is the only playground in HSR Layout, and the residents don’t want the children, senior citizens, and fitness-conscious to be deprived of this basic necessity.
• The residents fought fiercely for over five years in the Karnataka High Court to ensure that the playground is not converted into a judges housing colony. If this stadium is built, it will be a contempt case, and against the wishes of the general public.
• The public was not consulted before finalising the idea of a multi-purpose stadium. Instead, the Sector 2 Residents Welfare Association had given 14 points for improving the maintenance and beautification of the playground, which went ignored by the BBMP for years.
• BBMP’s great record of using stadiums for non-sports events is well established. An RTI response procured by a residents welfare group in Indiranagar found that Kanteerava Stadium and Koramangala Indoor Stadium were used for far more non-sports events than sporting activities. Clearly, commercial considerations have over-ruled public welfare.
• The idea of having a seating area for 5000 people, and just 200 car parks is by itself a foolish idea that will result in traffic spillover on adjoining roads that are already facing jams during peak hours and festivals due to the nearby temples – there are four of them. In fact, the residents prevented a mosque from coming up on 19th Main because they did not want to add to the jams already created by these temples.
• The plan violates the Revised Master Plan 2015 which stipulates that only 5% of open spaces can be earmarked for library, indoor uses, sports clubs, HOPCOMS, and so on.

Residents Speak Out!

This stadium will be an unmitigated disaster for the residents. This infra is massive. It’s densely packed with various stadia. I am sure the stadium will be used for entertainment activities too, which will bring in additional commerce into the layout. We should put a stop to this, even if it means taking a legal route. – S Bhakta, Sector 4

Big project means more money in people’s pockets. Stadium means the entry will be regulated and can be converted into a business over time. Eventually, the playground which actually is used by the common man and kids today, will be used only by people who pay.This needs to be fought tooth and nail by the residents. Instead of spending crores of rupees on this, a few lakhs can be spent every year on the upkeep of walking track, play area, tree-planting, and so on. These measures will be more citizen-friendly. – Vilas Deshmukh, Sector 1

BBMP will rent out space to recover the expenses, and only commercial activities or cricket can afford rents. – Kavitha Reddy, Sector 1

It will be a disaster if a cricket stadium comes up. Access to locals will be restricted. Parking, and traffic management will be a nightmare. – Manisha Deshpande, Sector 1

Our layout will become a total concrete jungle and a major bottleneck that is totally commercialised. The BBMP Grounds is the only lung space in HSR Layout. We only need an open ground where children can play with safe equipment, seniors and women can walk around breathing fresh oxygen, and youngsters can play the games they want. – RS Murthy, Sector 2

The difference between development and mockery is the difference between vision and cunning. Short-sighted or rather vote-sighted people are running this country. They have no vision, no concern for sustainable development, and zero commitment towards society and the future generation. What makes it worse is such characters turn out to be outright bullies who don’t want to even listen to what people have to say. – Krishna Puravoor, Somasundrapalya

The stadium was never discussed in any ward committee meeting. No public consultation was taken. There is no transparency at all. – Kamesh Rastogi, Sector 2

Free the open air playground from the vice grip of the privileged few and save HSR Layout from further becoming a ‘concrete jungle’. – MV Nagthan, Sector 6