Bengaluru’s Jakkarayanakere may return to public use as a playground

A view of Jakkarayanakere land in Bengaluru. | Photo credit: ALLEN EGENUSE J.

Jakkarayanakere, a site steeped in history, nestled between a growing residential area and the city’s transport hub, is once again at the center of plans for transformation. The site was once a lake that lost all signs of water flow decades ago and was used as a playground before being rediscovered for the casting works of the Namma Metro and later the Bengaluru City Police.

The site is currently used by the police department, which plans to convert it into a parade ground and police quarters. Local residents, however, demand that it be made available to the public and that a children’s playground be built.

Negotiations are on between MLA for Gandhinagar Dinesh Gundu Rao and the Home Ministry, but a final decision is yet to be taken. Meanwhile, the department cleared the land and carried out plantation work. However, confusion over the subsequent transfer of the land after 2007 led to a number of discussions to resolve the issue.

Lack of playgrounds

Speaking to The Hindu, Mr. Rao said that there is a severe shortage of open playgrounds in the city and that Jakkarayanakere, which was once a playground, could serve as an alternative for residents in the area.

Mr. Rao said the land was originally used as a playground before it was handed over to the metro in 2007 for casting. Metro subsequently turned it over to the police department as compensation for land acquired elsewhere, he said. The police subsequently converted it into a dumping yard for seized vehicles.

“We held meetings and the home minister said that an alternative land for the police will be identified. The plan is to develop a well-equipped playground out of it,” Mr. Rao said.

Residents said that developing the site as a playground would provide much-needed open space, especially for people living around Srirampura, Rajajinagar and neighboring areas.

Compensated land

According to sources, when the metro demanded land near MG road, it acquired the BRV Ground owned by the police department and compensated the department by allotting Jakkarayanakere.

In 2022, the Karnataka High Court ordered the police department to remove vehicles from police station premises across the city. Subsequently, the police moved the vehicles to Jakkarayanakere, sparking a public backlash.

The place also began to witness frequent fires. In one such incident last year, nearly 100 vehicles were destroyed, sparking discussions about moving the vehicles back to police stations. Meanwhile, Mr. Rao stepped in and accepted the residents’ demand to restore the site as a playground.

Parade

Police sources privy to the development said the department does not have enough land to set up the West Division of the City Armed Reserve (CAR). There was also a need to build living quarters for police personnel.

“Many policemen cannot afford the rising rents in the city and we need to create facilities for them. We also need a parade ground and space for CARs. Jakkarayanakere would be an ideal place,” said the officer.

Mr. Rao said that in a recent meeting, Home Minister Priyank Kharge had agreed to explore the possibility of identifying an alternative plot of land for the police department elsewhere.

“We have kept Greater Bengaluru (GBA) Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao in the loop and asked the authorities to identify the land for the police department,” Mr. Rao said.

Once a lake

Jakkarayanakere was once a vast lake spread over several acres. The lake gradually dried up and with urbanization, residential areas and transport infrastructure appeared in the area.

The place is also associated with one of the worst fire accidents in Bengaluru. In 1981, a fire broke out in a circus on the northeast side of Jakkarayanakere, killing 88 people and injuring 174.

Over the years, the lake has turned into dry land and part of it is now used as a playground.

Published – 12 Nov 2026 18:41 IST