• Miscreants take away original documents of Jawahar Bal Bhavan; damage old TV set, projector
• No security personnel deployed; frequent thefts since  3 to 4 months, allege concerned citizens

Mysore/Mysuru: The Jawahar Bal Bhavan, coming under the Women and Child Development Department, which is lying in a state of neglect for years on Nelson Mandela Road in Bannimantap, opposite to Dasara Torchlight Parade Grounds in city, was burgled last night.

The miscreants, who gained entry into Bal Bhavan building through the window, ransacked all the rooms, damaged an old projector, which was being used to screen short movies and documentaries for children, an old TV set, clay models and various artefacts made by children.

On gaining entry into the building, the thieves cut the main power supply to the building, removed the switch board, pulled out electric wires for copper, removed the ceiling fans, iron grills of windows, metal book shelves, new carpets and sarees of Anganwadi workers before decamping with various original documents and newspaper reports along with the above items.

The thieves have also removed metal swings and slides and had stored them in a corner inside Bal Bhavan compound.

Morning walkers, who noticed the doors open, went inside only to see the rooms in the building ransacked and informed the officials of the Women and Child Development Department.

Public alleged that though burglaries at Bal Bhavan were taking place since three to four months, the officials concerned nor the Police have taken any steps to prevent thefts and protect Bal Bhavan. They also alleged that there are no security personnel deployed at Bal Bhavan.

Narasimharaja (NR) Police have visited the spot.

About Bal Bhavan

Jawahar Bal Bhavan, which is now dead and desolate, was set up in 1977. The 30-year lease for the 10-acre land, originally granted in 1979 by the then City Improvement Trust Board (CITB) — now Mysuru Development Authority (MDA) —  had expired.

In 2020, Bal Bhavan Society Chairperson Chikkamma Basavaraj had proposed a Rs. 11-crore revival plan to modernise the facility with amenities like an amusement park, playground, skating rink, library, mini hall and toy train. However, the plan remained unimplemented.

Currently, the premises houses the Child Development Project Officer’s (CDPO) Office, with no activities for children. The apathy of authorities has turned the premises into a safe haven for wayward individuals, who freely use the area for partying.

Prolonged mudslinging between elected representatives and officials has reduced this once-popular destination to an abandoned spot. Ironically, this has been its pitiable condition for over 15 years, despite the establishment of an exclusive Jawahar Bal Bhavan Society meant to oversee its functioning.

None of the development proposals related to Bal Bhavan were effectively implemented, leading to its present state of disrepair, with unchecked growth of weeds and shrubs reflecting sheer neglect.

Bal Bhavan is located in Narasimharaja Assembly Constituency, represented by MLA and former Minister Tanveer Sait. He had conceptualised a development project worth Rs. 4.9 crore in 2012-13 to revive Bal Bhavan. The project was discussed and approved in the MDA meeting, but work stopped midway due to non-sanctioning of funds and non-compliance with the approved plan                                                  during execution.