Part acquisition of playground infuriates residents

Citizens to stage protest on July 24

On Sunday, residents came out in large numbers to protect their neighbourhood from what they termed the ‘evil’ designs of the BBMP and the Government.

The additional land acquisition of the 18th cross playground, the only open space available for children of Malleswaram has further infuriated the residents of the area.

Hundreds of citizens from across Bangalore and Malleswaram, along with a few green activists on Sunday evening, held a candle light vigil to protest against the widening of the Sankey Tank Bund Road.

They were supported by college students, who are now left  with no open space for their recreational activity and sports.

High Court verdict

The vigil comes on the eve of the High Court judgement on the felling of the trees along the Sankey Tank, slated to be delivered on Monday.

“Being residents of Malleswaram we are shocked by the State government move to acquire even the little open space which is available in the vicinity. Shaped in a triangular form, the playground on 18th Cross is surrounded by three educational institutions. With the BBMP acquiring seven to eight metres of the playground, the area will be drastically reduced at one end,” lamented Renuka Prasad, a resident of Malleswaram.

The 18th Cross ground has already been truncated with at least an acre of land taken by the Pre-University Board and the Common Entrance Test (CET) Cell for official use.

According to Prashant Kalkunte, another resident of the area, at least 200 to 300 children use the playground everyday to play cricket or football.

 “Children enrolled in a local cricket coaching club also practise here. The club has been known to produce State-level cricketers every year,” said Kalkunte.

Residents said that children and the sports club using the ground, will stage a demonstration against the move on July 24 at 8.30 am.

Campaign

Green activists have now embarked upon a campaign, starting from Sankey Tank Road to put an end to infrastructure projects launched without public consultation.

“Members of Hasiru Usiru and other environmental organisations have decided to embark upon a campaign to create awareness about the infrastructure projects across Bangalore launched without public consultation,” said Vinay Sreenivas, member of Hasiru Usiru.