Handball court to come up near Bhashyam Circle

By Y. Maheswara Reddy | NT

Bengaluru: The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has taken up construction of a handball court behind Shivaji statue near Bhashyam Circle at an estimated cost of Rs 2.5 crore. The work began a month ago and is expected to be completed in five or six months.

“All these years the place was unused. Residents of nearby areas have been demanding the BBMP authorities to utilise it for a better purpose. They have also suggested the BBMP construct a handball court here. So, we have decided to construct a handball court,” said Sumangala B, former corporator, Aramane Nagara ward.

Residents of Sadashivanagar said the place between the Shivaji statue and the swimming pool was not utilised except for parking of vehicles by those who visit the swimming pool. The drain adjacent to the retaining wall of Sankey Road was choked with silt and debris. “I want to thank the BBMP authorities for the construction of the handball court. I am not familiar with the game but it is better to utilize the space for something than keeping it idle,” said Rajesh Kumar N, a resident.

Thanking the BBMP authorities for utilizing one of the neglected public places, Kiran Kumar, a resident, said that there was a small park here and it was gradually neglected by the horticulture department and it became one of the most obnoxious places in the vicinity. “I hope the BBMP authorities utilize this place properly and maintain the handball court that is being constructed with tax-payers’ money,” opined Kiran Kumar.

A portion of the land is already dug up. According to the contractor, the place would be dug up four to five feet deep and filled up later with suitable material to construct the handball court.

“We have taken up the drain work before commencing the handball court work. Silt has been removed from the drain to avoid flooding of the handball court during monsoon,” said the contractor.

Meanwhile, BBMP assistant executive engineer Jaya Shankar has said the construction of handball court would be completed in five or six months. “It is an outdoor handball court. It will have a gallery,” said the BBMP assistant executive engineer.

What is handball?
Handball is a combination of football, basketball and netball. Handball game is contested by two teams of seven players and involves one team invading another team’s territory with the aim of throwing a ball into their opponent’s goal.