Karnataka - Mysore   

Project for reviving bal bhavan yet to take off

MYSORE: Once a popular amusement spot for children, Jawahar Bal Bhavan at Bannimantap here has now become an eyesore.

Until a few years ago, children used to visit this place on weekends and holidays, especially to take a joy ride on the toy train. In fact, this place used to be a beehive of activity on Children’s Day. But now children hesitate to visit this place.

The bal bhavan is in need of immediate revamp. Promises made so far to restore the bal bhavan to its original glory have remained only on papers.

Weeds have been allowed to grow waist high, making it impossible for the children to play at ease. The bal bhavan is in a shambles in the absence of maintenance and improvement. Barring a few activities and competitions, nothing else happens here. The toy train which was the last remaining attraction has been relegated to its shed. The rails had worn out, resulting in the suspension of the toy train ride over a year ago. With this, the bal bhavan now has nothing to offer to children.

Principal organiser of the bal bhavan Krishnamurthy, who is at present in New Delhi with a children’s team to participate in the National Children’s Assembly, told The Hindu over phone that a Rs. 4.5-crore project had been submitted to Mysore Urban Development Authority (MUDA), which has set aside grants for the bal bhavan’s development, for comprehensive development of the place incorporating new attractions.

“We are not aware of its status,” he said, and added that the authorities were keen on reviving the place.

It has been planned to develop the bal bhavan on the concept of “Wonderland”. Modern amusement games, indoor sports area, swimming pool, a large play area, activity centre and an area for holding creative events, among other attractions, have been proposed on 11 acres of land.

Last year, the MUDA had announced to invite e-tenders for the modernisation work as a detailed project report (DPR), prepared by a private agency some time ago, was being modified to add more facilities to make the bal bhavan a “one-stop spot” for children’s amusement. The proposed modifications were recreational facilities, including a swimming pool, waterfalls and park, but it is not clear whether they have been approved.

MUDA officials were not available for comment.

When the then Deputy Commissioner G. Kumar Naik was the chairman of the bal bhavan, he had developed a project to completely revamp the place. But after his transfer, the project did not make headway and the bal bhavan started losing its charm.

Following public criticism, the Rs 4.5-crore project was proposed in 2008 and elected representatives prevailed upon the MUDA authorities to release funds for the project.

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