Historic Shift: Bengaluru Racecourse Agrees to Relocate After 58-Year Standoff
In a landmark decision that concludes a protracted dispute spanning nearly six decades, the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) has consented to vacate its prime city-centre location. The Karnataka state cabinet has formally approved the relocation, granting the club a 29-year lease on 110 acres and 20 guntas at the Kunigal Stud Farm near Tumakuru.
Cabinet Approval and Club's Response
The cabinet's Thursday decision paves the way for the BTC's departure from its iconic premises adjacent to Vidhana Soudha. Manjunath Ramesh, chairman of the BTC's racing sub-committee, expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating, "We are extremely happy with the cabinet decision and are preparing to move out. We will soon file a compromise petition before the Supreme Court, where a case is pending."
This cooperative stance is particularly notable given the club's historical resistance to governmental relocation mandates. However, Ramesh highlighted a significant financial concern: the club is obligated to pay an annual lease equivalent to 2.5% of the land's guidance value. "We have decided to formally request the government to reconsider this clause and lower the lease," he added.
Financial Obligations and Government Stipulations
Beyond the annual lease, the BTC must settle outstanding rent arrears and deposit 2% of its annual income from 2010 onwards with the Public Works Department (PWD) until the premises are fully vacated. Law Minister HK Patil clarified that this penalty addresses losses incurred by the state exchequer due to unrevised rents since 2010, a consequence of ongoing legal disputes.
The government has committed to providing "minimum time" for the relocation process, with a detailed government order outlining specific timelines and procedures to be issued imminently.
Land Allocation and Future Use
Of the 83 acres and 14 guntas currently occupied by the BTC on Racecourse Road, the club will retain its heritage office building and four acres of surrounding land. The remaining area will be repurposed to develop a lung space within the city, aligning with the government's longstanding position that the prime land should serve public recreational or governmental functions.
Historical Context and Past Attempts
The BTC's current premises, originally granted by the Maharaja of Mysore, has been a focal point of contention for generations. Efforts to relocate the racecourse date back to 1968, when Chief Minister Nijalingappa established a sub-committee under Finance Minister BD Jatti, proposing land at Jakkur Flying Club.
- In 1983, Chief Minister Ramakrishna Hegde suggested land near Jakkur tank bed, which the BTC rejected due to low-lying terrain.
- Subsequent governments floated various proposals, including a 100-storey tower and expansive lung space, all met with staunch opposition and legal challenges from the club.
- The push gained momentum in 2000 under Chief Minister SM Krishna, who earmarked land at Yelahanka lake, though the plan dissolved with his government's fall.
- In 2008, the BJP government led by BS Yediyurappa set an 18-month deadline for relocation to Chikkajala-Doddajala, sparking another prolonged legal battle that stalled progress.
Recent Escalations and Resolution
The decision follows heightened tensions in 2024, when the government refused to renew the BTC's racing licence—an order later stayed by the high court. In October of the previous year, authorities demanded immediate shifting, warning of licence non-renewal for non-compliance.
With the BTC's acceptance of the Kunigal proposal, this relocation marks the culmination of persistent efforts spanning 58 years to move the racecourse from Bengaluru's urban core, heralding a new chapter for both the club and the city's landscape.
