Bengaluru: Ït has been a fight for open spaces over the past year with Bengalureans trying to protect the remaining parks and playgrounds in their neighbourhoods from being converted into something else for ‘profitable’ use. Proposals to convert them into anything from cricket academies to indoor stadia have been met with stiff resistance from local residents, resulting in confrontations in several pockets of the city, including Indiranagar, Jeevan Bima Nagar, New Thippasandra and Koramangala 3rd Block.
In Defence Colony, Indiranagar, residents were alarmed when fencing came around a portion of a five-acre playground. President of Defence Colony Co-Op Housing Society Ltd. Colonel Raj Mannar said that after some persons laid claim to a portion of the land, a court passed an order in 2010 to maintain status quo.
"It has been extensively used as a playground by children from the neighbourhood. In November, we found someone had put up fencing on a part of the ground. We have reported this to the mayor, Joint Commissioner and all top officials, but nothing much has happened. Every few days, we come across a new board claiming ownership of the plot," said Col. Mannar.
"Everywhere, the real estate mafia views open spaces as ideal places to encroach,” says Bharti, resident, Jeevan Bima Nagar.
At Jeevan Bima Nagar, residents have been fighting to convert an open space in the neighbourhood into a children's park. In this case, the local councillor is keen to convert the area into a playground.
"We have been fighting in court for this land for 20 years. Where was the councillor all these years," asked a resident.
However, BBMP officials feel that residents’ fears are ‘misplaced’ as the number of parks has gone up in recent years.
Horticulture Officer Mohammed Ali said, "Out of the 287 parks to be developed, 120 have been added in the last two years, taking the total from 1,020 to 1,145."
Year | Parks in Bengaluru
2015 : 1,020
2017: 1,125
To be developed : 165
Year | Number of playgrounds
2017: 256
