BENGALURU: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has turned a playground into dumping yard by dumping cut pieces of timber and branches of trees which were chopped at different places in the city. The students of local schools are now expressing their outrage at the Palike for its irresponsibility.
The playground near Navrang theathre in Rarajinagar is used by kids and youths and people also visit for morning walks. But BBMP has turned a blind eye towards and has been dumping timber at the playground.
According to the students, the entire ground is filled with blocks of wood and cut tree branches, while there are also signs of encroachment of the ground. One portion of the ground is almost entirely occupied by timber and other waste. A student said some people are also bringing household garbage to dump it in the ground.
The ground behind Navrang theatre is used by many students for sporting activities and practice. But about 30 t0 40 truckloads of logs are dumped here every day and the ground is filled with logs. Students alleged that the Palike brings tree branches that are cut across the city and dumps them in the ground.
With many children using the ground to play cricket and football, local have expressed doubts whether the dumping of timber was a ploy to prevent them from using the ground and thereby facilitate its encroachment.
Anusha, a student, said the BBMP is not maintaining cleanliness on the ground. “They just dump wooden logs here. We used to come here whenever we had free time. But this stack of wood has made it difficult for us to play here. There is no place to sit and our feet hurt when we play barefoot. The situation has been like this for the last three months. There is a need to pay urgent attention and clear the ground as soon as possible”, she urged the Palike.