Bengaluru: Home Minister Ramalinga Reddy was forced to drop plans to turn a playground into a stadium in BTM Layout constituency in Bengaluru South, following outrage by residents. The Minister was supposed to conduct puja on Thursday to start work on the project, but said he called it off “since people do not want it”. Reddy represents BTM Layout constituency in the State Assembly.

This comes close on the heels of residents of Indiranagar fighting a legal battle against turning a playground into an indoor stadium.

The playground in BTM Layout 2nd Stage has a walking track and tree line along the fence. The project was to provide a viewers’ gallery along the fence of the playground along with other sporting facilities, turning it into a small stadium, at a cost of Rs 3.5 crore. However, residents were up in arms and complained that it would lead to felling of trees and reduced play area.