The prolonged and agonisingly slow construction of the Doda Sports Stadium is yet another dismal portrayal of project implementation in Jammu and Kashmir. In 2006, then Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad launched this project with much fanfare, envisioning it to uplift the sporting infrastructure of the region and provide aspiring athletes a much-needed platform to train and excel. Nearly two decades later, it stands as a grim reminder of administrative inertia and broken promises. Despite multiple rounds of funding and repeated assurances from successive Governments, the stadium remains incomplete. The latest allocation of Rs 1 crore, meant to fast-track the work, has failed to translate into substantial progress. Incomplete turf work, unlaid grass, pending renovations, and inadequate spectator facilities continue to mar the project.
For the youth of Doda, this delay is more than just a missed deadline-it’s a missed opportunity. Hundreds of young sportspersons voice their frustration over the lack of basic facilities. With no proper grounds, lighting, or dressing rooms, the athletes are left to train in substandard conditions, stifling their potential and damaging their morale. Promises like installing high-mast lights or constructing sheds for spectators remain just that-promises. The repeated neglect has not only demoralised the local talent but has also denied the region its chance to host district or state-level competitions that could put Doda on the sporting map.
While officials cite completed drainage work and ongoing grass preparation, the pace is painfully slow. Statements from the Sports Council and the DC offer hope, but for a project stuck in limbo for 19 years, words are no longer enough-only timely action will suffice. This debacle underscores a systemic issue in J&K’s project execution. Bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of accountability, and poor monitoring continue to delay projects that directly impact public welfare. The youth of Doda deserve more than token efforts. They deserve a fully functional stadium and consistent support to pursue their sporting dreams. It is time the administration treats such projects not as routine infrastructure but as vital investments in the region’s future. Only then can the promises made be meaningfully fulfilled.
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