Kaup: Bangle Maidan, once a landmark of Kaup and a nurturing ground for sports and cultural centers, now has neither the "Bangle" (bungalow) nor the "Maidan" (field).

It is filled only with concrete buildings. In the last 15-20 years, the face of this ground has completely changed. Once spread across 7.5 acres, the ground has now shrunk to just a few cents. Instead of an open field, buildings are seen everywhere. The remaining land is also being distributed among various departments.

A hub of former glory

Bangle Maidan was once a witness to the thunder of Yakshagana Bayalata and the performance of plays. Every evening, local youths gathered here for sports like cricket, volleyball, football, and shuttle badminton. Weekend sports activities and cultural programs greatly attracted locals and travelers on the National Highway.

Transformation in the name of development

In the name of development, offices for the Gram Panchayat, Revenue Department, and Survey Department were established. A large portion of the eastern side of the ground was sacrificed for the expansion of National Highway 66 and the four-lane road project, while the western area was converted into a complex for government offices. This ground became the foundation for dozens of buildings.

Memories of the Tourist Bungalow

Until 2013, the Tourist Bungalow here was the focal point of government activities. Opposite it were rooms for government staff quarters. Former Kaup MLAs, the late Bhaskar Shetty and the late Vasanth Salian, operated from this IB (Inspection Bungalow). Even during Lalaji R. Mendon's tenure as MLA, then-CM Yediyurappa had visited this bungalow.

More offices and buildings to come

In Bangle Maidan, 16 cents have been allotted to MESCOM, 30 cents for the Taluk Panchayat building, and 28 cents for the Tehsildar's residence. These buildings are yet to be constructed. The remaining land is reserved for the construction of quarters for various government employees and other government offices.

Gradual loss of the ground

Out of the total 7.5 acres of Bangle Maidan, 1.73 acres were initially reserved for public services. Buildings like the old Gram Panchayat/City Municipal office, Fisheries Society, Anganwadi, Mahila Mandala, Health Sub-center, Post and Telephone Department, and Rajiv Bhavan were built there. The remaining 5.45 acres stayed with the Revenue Department. Until 10-15 years ago, this area housed the Tourist Bungalow, watchman's quarters, the Agriculture Department, hostels, and residential quarters. After various government buildings were constructed, 4.74 acres remained. Government hostels for boys and girls were built on this 4.74-acre plot, and 10 cents were allotted to the Farmer Contact Center (Raitha Samparka Kendra). Another 20 cents were given for the construction of the Forest Department office and quarters. After the Municipality was announced in 2014-15, 50 cents were allotted for the Municipal building. When Kaup Taluk was announced in 2016-17, 72 cents were given for the Taluk Administrative Center (Soudha), and 20 cents for the Municipal water tank, where an Indira Canteen was also built. One acre of land is reserved for the Municipal water purification plant.