Tumakuru lake bed - Cricket stadium project now faces land hurdle.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association's (KSCA) plans of setting up a stadium in Tumakuru have run into a roadblock after it was found that the land allotted for the project is part of a lake bed.

About four months ago, KSCA authorities along with secretary Brijesh Patel visited a location near Shettihalli in Tumakuru district.They identified 19 acres and one gunta of land, located on the Thimmanahalli lake, for the proposed cricket stadium. The location was apt, considering it is on the bypass to Gubbi. Soon after the visit, the proposal was moved to the Tumakuru district administration for completion of formalities. However, a spot inspection of the land resulted in the administration identifiying it as part of the Thimmanahalli lake bed.

Sources said the part of the land identified for the stadium has in fact lost its identity as a lake. However, back-to-back circulars, in light of several lake beds being lost to encroachments and illegal transactions, have directed authorities to protect them. Tumakuru district commissioner K P Mohan Raj said he was unaware of the stadium proposal. Locals said it was first mooted by home minister G Parameshwara.

Sources in the government said the land was selected because it was nothing more than a dumping ground, which has been encroached upon by private parties who have constructed temporary sheds and slums there. However, the proposal to hand over the land to KSCA has met with massive opposition from environmentalists.

Patel said he wasn't aware that the land was part of a lake bed. 'The land was proposed by local convenor and we carried out an inspection . The Tumakuru plan is part of a larger proposal to build a cricket stadium in 30 districts. The plan has seen no progress after our visit.'

Sources said the file will be sent to the government to take a final call on the matter.

TOI