BTC members express concern over conditions for relocation

BTC members have learned to resent the conditions imposed by the Public Works Department to preserve the club’s premises. | Photo credit: MURALI KUMAR K

Amid the process of shifting the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) from the city to Kunigal stud, about 60 km away, the club members on Friday sought some adjustments to the terms of relocation. The members demanded changes in the extent of land to be retained by BTC in Bengaluru, the rent payable for the land and the lease period. Resolutions were adopted in this regard.

In February 2026, the state cabinet decided to allot 110 acres of the Kunigal stud farm and set a deadline of two years from the date of handing over the land to the club to move out of Bengaluru. It also decided to provide BTC with four acres on the existing premises where the clubhouse – a heritage building – is located. However, BTC is looking for about six acres of land on the current campus and many members disagreed with the offered land as too small.

Meeting on Friday

The BTC on Friday convened an extraordinary general body meeting to discuss matters related to the relocation of the racetrack to Kunigal stud, where a new racetrack needs to be laid. An earlier extraordinary general meeting in November 2025 approved the relocation of the racetrack.

BTC officials, who recently met Chief Minister DK Shivakumar, have been asked to meet him again after the MVH, based on which further discussions could take place.

“On big race days, we can expect attendance of up to 10,000 people. In such a scenario, the space available may be too small. Many members feel that instead of releasing more than 60 acres to the government, the club could get at least six acres,” said a member aware of the development.

Higher rent

Another vexing problem with the relocation was the rent the government proposed to collect from the club on the space it would be able to keep. According to sources, the government has proposed a levy of 2.5% of the indicative value of the land to be paid as rent. This is expected to cost the club around ₹15 million per year. “In addition, BTC will have to pay rent for the land it acquires in Kunigal. We demand that the rent be calculated at 0.10%,” the sources said.

Meanwhile, BTC members have learned to resent the conditions imposed by the Public Works Department to preserve the club’s premises. The member pointed out that while the government had offered the land at Kunigal for a 29-year lease, renewable for a further 29 years, the conditions for the club’s premises were fixed for five years. “The window is too short. The club’s lease can also be extended to 29 years for another 29 years,” said the source.

Published – 10 Jul 2026 22:46 IST