In a welcome development for the people of Kunigal and the Kunigal Stud Farm owned by Dr Vijay Mallya, the state Government has finally approved to place the new railway route skirting around the Kunigal Stud Farm premises. The proposed railway project of laying a new Bengaluru–Hassan rail route was to cut through the Farm land which would have caused great hardship for the running of the farm which employs a large number of local population. The Kunigal Stud Farm has always been regarded as an historic location considering its rich history. The land once belonged to the great Tippu Sultan and is currently on a long lease to Dr Vijay Mallya. One among the top Stud Farms in India, Kunigal Stud Farm is home to champion sire Burden Of Proof and their latest acquisition Admiral Of The Fleet and has been consistently producing top-class race horses over the years.

The railway project looked ominous for the Farm as the railway lines would have cut through the premises literally dividing the Farm and causing considerable adversity to the horses with the risk of pollution. The Kunigal Stud Farm is also the pride of the locals, besides providing employment to over a hundred people and is the main landmark of the locality. Over the years, the Farm had already given up sizable proportions of land towards building a first grade college, a state bus stand, a court complex and a passage to lay the national highway as well. Local Congress MLA, Mr BB Ramaswamy Gowda was one of the main persons who worked relentlessly towards impressing upon the authorities that an alternative plan be placed, so that the Farm remain unaffected.

The negotiations and dialogues which began more than 5 years back, finally paved way for the decision of the state government to alter the Railway project plans and leave the Stud Farm to its current status. “We are grateful to the Chief Minister Honourable Sri Yeddyurappa and the ministers concerned for their decision. We are indebted to our MLA Mr BB Ramaswamy Gowda for his untiring efforts in seeing this through.

The CM Hon Sri Yeddyurappa had graciously visited our farm to ascertain first hand, the repercussion of the original plan and the impact it would have on the Stud Farm and the local populace. He was convinced that the Farm be left untouched and he even announced that the extra cost of laying the railway lines around the Farm, in the region of about Rs 11 crore would be sanctioned by the Government.

This decision comes as very welcome news for us at the Stud Farm and the people of Kunigal as well,” said Mr Zeyn Mirza, Managing Director, United Racing & Breeding Pvt Ltd. Dr Dinesh, the Stud Manager and resident veterinarian at the Kunigal Stud Farm, said, “I am immensely pleased and relieved to know about the decision to shift the railway lines around the Farm and not through the Farm. A major crisis has been averted with this decision. It felt as though Damocles Sword was hanging overhead all these years and I am greatly relieved.” It’s a true case of “all’s well that ends well” for the Kunigal Stud Farm. The horse-racing industry has a significant role in the lives of a huge number of people and Stud Farms such as Kunigal Stud Farm contribute greatly in raising the standards of thoroughbreds each year.

The stallions, the brood mares and the young potential champions that reside at the Farm can do without any interference with their homes and lives. This is a historic decision that would be welcome to all concerned.