Daijiworld Media Network- Mangaluru (VP)

Mangaluru, Feb 22: The famous Bondel Ground was inaugurated when B S Yediyurappa was chief minister with the hope of bringing Mangaluru back to the sporting track. But, unfortunately the playground which was made then for the children as a training ground has today become a safe haven for boozers and alcoholics.

The bushes of the ground are littered with tetra packs of alcohol, beer bottles, disposable glasses and water bottles. Locals living in the vicinity have noticed that people arrive here in their vehicles during the late evenings or nights, booze in their vehicles and throw the used bottles and tetra packs into the bushes nearby. 

The locals have also expressed their concern that the Bondel Ground has indeed become an epicenter for drinking and driving.

Locals say as the ground is poorly lit, the place has turned into a virtual hideout and a meeting ground for drinkers during the late evenings as people come in their cars to have a drink without worrying about the consequences.

Locals say that the police should undertake regular patrolling of the area during the late evenings and in the nights and punish the offenders. They have also appealed to the authorities concerned to ensure regular cleaning up of the ground as it is frequented by kids, elderly people and those who are learning to driving of vehicles during the day.