Mangaluru : While the Karnataka State Cricket Association has proposed to build a cricket stadium at Bondel, the local residents are opposing it on the grounds that it will deny children of the only playing area in the locality.

Last month, KSCA secretary and the former cricketer Brijesh Patel visited the 10-acre area in Bondel adjoining the site for a proposed Zilla Ranga Mandir to check whether the site was suitable for the cricket stadium, which has been pending for over several years. Mr. Patel was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim and other district officials.

KSCA Mangalore Zone Convenor Manohar Amin said that they had submitted a proposal to the Deputy Commissioner about having a playing area for cricket at an estimated Rs. 20 crore.

Unlike a stadium, the playing area will comprise a pitch, a practice area, changing rooms and viewers gallery. “It will be similar to Mangala Stadium. This playing area will be sufficient to hold the Ranji Trophy and first-division class cricket matches,” he said, and added that the KSCA would complete the work within two years of handing over possession of the land.

However, a group of residents from Bondel have raised their voice against having a cricket stadium at the ground, which was presently being used for playing cricket, walking and also for learning to drive. “A cricket stadium will be a gated place and our children will be denied of the only open area,” said John B. Monterio. “You do not find such a place between the Kadri Park and Bondel,” he added.

Padmanabha Ullal, another local resident and activist, said enough representations have been given to authorities to develop this ground into a multipurpose playground where cricket, hockey, football and other sports can be played. A walking track can be created at the area that would help elderly persons, who can freely have a morning and evening walks. Such a ground was needed in the area that has schools namely the Mahatma Gandhi Centenary School and Bondel Church school and the ITI College for women, he said.