TNN
Bangalore, Mar 17: Vijay Mallya managed to save Indian heritage from falling into foreign hands, not once but twice. He successfully bid for the Sword of Tipu Sultan a couple of years ago and Gandhi memorabilia at a New York auction. Now, he’s fighting to save his 200-year-old heritage Kunigal Stud Farm, with the South-West Railways adamant on running a 1.05-km track through it.
The proposed Bangalore-Hassan broad gauge track runs through the heart of the farm, and the famed horse breeding centre, which has produced 67 classic winners, will have to shut shop because of the noise and pollution of passing trains. Also, the farm will be split into two parts, causing operational problems.
Stud manager and chief veterinary officer NM Dinesh said 10 days ago the Railways executive engineer and a land acquisition officer of the state government told him the farm needed to surrender the land at the earliest and Mallya would get Rs 39 lakh as compensation.
“Earlier, we suggested to the Railways, with a special request to minister Lalu Prasad, that the track could be run on the farm periphery for which the land would be readily given. After inspections by the railway technical board officers, they are telling us they need to cut through the farm,” said Dinesh.
He pointed out this is where Tipu Sultan bred horses for his cavalry. “Breeding experts believe that soil conditions at Kunigal are the best for horse breeding. After purchasing the farm, Vijay Mallya made huge investments, buying quality mares and a couple of high-priced stallions like Burden of Proof, Tejano and Brave Act and the results are showing,” said Dinesh. Initially, Kunigal Stud Farm was spread over 504 acres, but over the years, 64 acres were taken over by the government for construction of a court complex, bus-stand, inspection bungalow and a first grade college.
“But, this railway line will shut the farm,” said Dinesh. Mallya’s racing manager Zeyn Mirza added that Kunigal farm is a heritage site and the Karnataka government should help preserve history.