The Times of India 07.09.2010
Space for everything else
Children in West and North zones are being left with little space to play. By the BBMP’s own admission, there are more playgrounds in South and East zones. Largely because these areas are well planned and East Bangalore (earlier Cantonment) was once occupied by the British.
As for newly added areas, there are no playgrounds but every open space is play area until construction work starts.
But East Bangalore residents have their own woes. Last week, 11-year-old Vineeth met with a tragic end after he was crushed by a train engine when he went to pick up a ball from the railway tracks. He’d to come to Frazer Town to play as there were no playgrounds in Doddagunta in Cox Town.
“Why was Indian Gymkhana grounds given to a private club? It was used by people in East Bangalore but now it’s available to only a select few,” said K P Abraham, president, REWABE ( Residents’ Welfare Association – Bangalore East).
“There’s no space for children in the entire Cooke Town area. Children play on vacant sites or the road itself. Space earmarked for playground decades ago has been encroached upon and there is no space left now even if BBMP wants to make a playground,” said Abraham.
Fight for playgrounds
Kilikili has been fighting for playgrounds for children. “We met all political party leaders and submitted memoranda that playgrounds be included in their BBMP election manifestos. All party leaders assured they would take this up on priority. But nothing has happened anywhere,” said Kavitha Krishnamurthy, managing trustee, Kilikili.
What parents want
According to Kilikili, each ward ideally needs play space (for children under eight years), and two playgrounds, one for children in the age group 8-14 years and the other for adults.
Children at play
There are no play spaces for children in JP Nagar too but residents have found a smart way out. “A vacant piece of land has been earmarked for a playground in JP Nagar 2nd Phase. We’ve put up boards which indicate speed limits of 15kmph so that two-wheelers and four-wheelers go slow as children play in VR Layout,” B Ramakrishna Udupa, secretary, JP Nagar 1st Phase Residents’ Welfare Association said. Local police helped residents in setting up these boards.
Malleswaram playground shrinks
While BTM and Jayanagar playgrounds provide space for skating clubs without BBMP approval, Malleswaram playground too may go the same way. Corporator Manjunath Raj said, “We’re trying to make provision for skating as there have been requests from residents for this. It’ll cost about Rs 25 lakh,” he said.
