Karnataka Government's Stadium Plan Sparks Outcry Over Heritage Silk Factory Land
In a contentious decision that has drawn sharp criticism from multiple quarters, the Karnataka state government has allocated five acres of prime land belonging to the historic Karnataka Silk Industries Corporation (KSIC) in T Narasipura for the construction of a taluk stadium. The site is located merely 200 meters from the sacred Triveni Sangama confluence, raising additional environmental and cultural concerns.
Administrative Decision Overrides Local Opposition
The controversial land transfer to the Department of Youth Empowerment and Sports was executed despite significant resistance from local residents, environmental activists, and KSIC management itself. Critics have labeled the move as a clear example of administrative short-sightedness that prioritizes immediate political gains over long-term heritage preservation and ecological sustainability.
The stadium proposal originated in the 2025–26 state budget, where Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the project with an allocation of Rs 6 crore. T Narasipura falls within the constituency represented by District Minister HC Mahadevappa, adding a political dimension to the infrastructure development.
Century-Old Silk Factory Faces Existential Threat
The affected KSIC facility represents a remarkable piece of industrial heritage. Established in 1912 by Maharaja Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar, the silk factory began operations with 10–44 looms specifically designed to meet royal and military requirements. It was India's first silk production unit equipped with imported Swiss machinery, representing a technological milestone in the country's textile history.
Following India's independence, the facility came under the administration of the Mysore State Sericulture Department before evolving into the autonomous KSIC in 1980. Today, it stands as the nation's only fully integrated silk enterprise, managing the complete production chain from silk reeling to final weaving. The factory holds prestigious international certifications including ISO 9001-2015, EMS 14001-2015, and OHSAS 18001-2007 from TUV Rheinland.
Currently employing 192 workers, the factory produces the globally renowned Mysuru silk saris woven with authentic 100% gold zari. Documents obtained by media outlets reveal that KSIC formally objected to the land transfer, warning that stadium construction would severely disrupt factory operations and compromise future expansion plans.
Critical Infrastructure and Expansion Plans Jeopardized
The transferred land includes areas earmarked for essential factory infrastructure, most notably the site designated for KSIC's effluent treatment plant (ETP). The corporation highlighted several urgent spatial requirements that will now remain unaddressed, including:
- Storage facilities for coal and cinder ash
- Development of internal road networks
- Expansion of worker amenities including a hospital, canteen, and parking areas
With international demand for Mysuru silk products rising steadily, KSIC had planned significant facility expansion to capitalize on market opportunities. These growth initiatives now face serious jeopardy due to the land appropriation for stadium construction.
Environmental Concerns and Fast-Tracked Implementation
Despite these substantial concerns, construction processes including land surveys are reportedly being accelerated to prevent potential fund lapses. Environmental activists warn that the ecological cost of this development may prove irreversible.
Parashurame Gowda, General Secretary of People for Environment, revealed alarming details about the proposed construction site. According to his assessment, the area contains 552 mature trees—some exceeding a century in age—including 24 sandalwood trees, 55 teak trees, and 109 forest species.
"Recreating this complex ecosystem would require more than 100 years of natural regeneration," Gowda emphasized. "Our position is not fundamentally opposed to stadium development, but such infrastructure must not come at the unacceptable cost of destroying heritage and ecology."
He further cautioned that the stadium's proximity to Triveni Sangama could endanger delicate river ecology through construction runoff and increased human activity in the sensitive area.
Broader Implications for Heritage and Sustainability
The controversy highlights a growing tension between development priorities and preservation imperatives in rapidly modernizing regions. Gowda issued a stark warning about the decision's broader implications: "By prioritizing a sports stadium over a century-old heritage institution and fragile ecosystem, the government risks sacrificing both historical legacy and environmental sustainability for short-term political objectives."
The situation continues to develop as stakeholders await potential government reconsideration or mitigation measures that might address the multifaceted concerns raised by conservationists, factory workers, and local communities invested in both their industrial heritage and natural environment.
