BBMP moots underground parking in playgrounds

BBMP moots underground parking in playgrounds
By Satish Shile, DH News Service, Bangalore:
Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has decided to build underground parking complex in four playgrounds - Malleswaram grounds, Akkithimmanahalli grounds in Shanti Nagar, Freedom Park in Gandhinagar and Chikkalalbagh playground in the Majestic area.


Many playgrounds in Bangalore City are going to make way for parking vehicles. Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has decided to build underground parking complex in four playgrounds - Malleswaram grounds, Akkithimmanahalli grounds in Shanti Nagar, Freedom Park in Gandhinagar and Chikkalalbagh playground in the Majestic area.

Mr Rangaraju, Superintendent (Road Widening), BBMP said the proposed vehicle parking lots will not affect sports activities as the complexes would be underground. Once the underground work is completed the playground will be prepared as it was earlier. “We have called for consultants to prepare a feasibility study report. They have to workout how many vehicles can be parked in the available space. They have to prepare plan and also estimate the cost required to execute the projects”, he said. The Palike intends to get funds for the construction of complexes under the JNNURM.

Is the Palike decision to utilise playground as parking lots justified? Deccan Herald elicited views from sports lovers as well as common people on the issue.



Excerpts

A senior engineer of BBMP, who wished to remain anonymous, termed the plan to build parking complexes in playgrounds a ‘stupid idea’. “Nowhere I have seen parking lots in playgrounds. How will you make children play cricket or any other game on a concrete ground? The officers who got such crazy ideas are telling that the ground will be made suitable to play by spreading soil above the concrete. They are going to set up artificial playground. It is nothing but a foolish idea,” he said.

Former mayor P R Ramesh said only those who are not concerned about children’s health can take up such a project. “Children have already been denied ample space to play. If the Palike goes on converting playgrounds to parking lots, where will they play? The Palike should stop taking up such works in the absence of an elected body,” he argued.

BJP leader S Prakash said, if you set up underground parking in playgrounds, they will no more remain as playgrounds. There are many examples in Bangalore where complexes constructed exclusively for parking of vehicles are converted into shopping complexes over a period of time.

“Bangaloreans have already been facing shortage of space to play, as many playgrounds have been converted into parks. The BJP will not allow conversion of playgrounds into parking lots,” he said.



PLAY OFF

The Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike has come out with a fresh plan to provide parking space for vehicles in Bangalore. BBMP has announced plans to build underground parking complexes beneath four playgrounds in the City. The Palike officials feel that land above the complexes would be made conducive for sports activities.

Deccan Herald offers space to its readers to react to the BBMP move. Send in your views to The Editor, Deccan Herald, 75, MG Road, Bangalore - 560 001 or email: editor@deccanherald.co.in



"As such, it is difficult to find ample space near our house to play... I take my son everyday to Malleswaram Grounds.

He is interested in playing cricket. How can he practise on a concrete yard? The Palike should have taken public into confidence before deciding to have parking."

Narayana

Businessman



"We strongly oppose the Palike’s move to build underground parking complex in our ground. We have only one ground in Malleshwaram to play during vacations. Children from Srirampura, Rajajinagar also come here to play, as they don’t have grounds in their localities. If we can’t play cricket here, where else should we go? "

Rajesh

8th standard student, BES



"The basketball ground on Malleshwaram Ground is 54 years old. For the last 15 years, our academy has been conducting coaching classes. If the Palike decides to take up work for underground parking here, where should our 350 students go to practice till the work is completed? If the work goes on for years, thousands of children will miss the opportunity to play in national level tournaments, as they don’t get ground to practice.

Moreover, the plan to set up underground parking and allowing children to play on concrete is not acceptable. We basket ball players can manage to play on the concrete. But what about cricketers? We are planning to take protest rallies to oppose the Palike’s move. "

Kishan

Coach, Burn Basketball Academy