Cabinet approves 30-year lease of four acres in High Grounds to Bangalore Turf Club

The four-acre area currently houses the Bangalore Turf Club facilities and includes a heritage structure.

With the racing activity held by the Bangalore Turf Club (BTC) expected to be relocated to Kunigal, the State government on Thursday approved the leasing of four acres on the current premises in High Grounds to the BTC for a period of 30 years.

The four-acre area currently houses the club facilities and includes a heritage structure. While agreeing to shift racing activities to the Kunigal Stud Farm, the BTC had sought six acres to continue its club activities and off-course betting centre. However, the government agreed to provide four acres.

Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Eshwar Khandre told presspersons after the Cabinet meeting that the government had approved the lease proposal. “The club has also sought some time to relocate the racing activities to Kunigal,” he said.

The development follows an earlier decision of the State government not to extend the lease term to the BTC, and offered land to build a racecourse at the Kunigal Stud Farm. After initial reluctance, the BTC agreed to shift the club operations to Kunigal but sought six acres to continue with club activities and off course betting centre on the current premises.

Mr. Khandre also announced that the winter session at Belagavi, scheduled to be held from November 30 to December 11, has been rescheduled to start from December 2.