Ajay Raina
JAMMU, June 30: On the one hand the State Government issues regular statements for the promotion of sports in Jammu and Kashmir but on the other hand it is unable to allocate funds for the construction of sports infrastructure in the State.
This can be gauged from the construction of Sports Stadium at Samba, whose construction work had started in the year 2011 but even after lapse of over four years, it has not been completed. As a result of this, sports enthusiasts have stopped practicing their desired games, whether outdoor or indoor.
Official sources told the EXCELSIOR that Sports Stadium at Samba to be constructed by Public Works Department (PWD) is craving for funds which the concerned authorities have failed to release since 2013.
The total cost of the project is around Rs 2.6 crore and PWD till date has received only Rs 1.07 crore and that too around two years back, sources said, adding that the department has not received even a single penny to carry forward the construction work of the stadium since 2014-15 financial year for the reasons best known to the concerned officials sitting at helm of affairs”, sources added.
They informed that stairs for the spectators, walls, gate, rooms and pavilion have been constructed by PWD till date. Due to blockage of funds by concerned authorities, PWD is unable to complete the construction work of the stadium, they added.
“Despite the tall claims of State Government to provide all possible sports infrastructure and facilities to youth, it has miserably failed to fulfill its promises on ground” said Nitin Sharma, a local youth.
Sports Stadium, a facility that could be a boost to sports and players has not been completed even after the passage of four years, he added.
“It’s been more than four years since work to construct the Sports Stadium at Samba was taken up but the work has been stopped due to the reasons best known to senior officials of concerned authorities”, said Abhinav Sambyal, another local youth.
“The much awaited stadium is still out of bounds for the aspiring sports lovers of the district, he added”, he stated.
Players cannot practice indoors games and we are still waiting for the completion of the stadium, he added.
When contacted Xen, PWD, Samba Ram Pal Thapa said that “Inordinate delay in getting the sanctioned amount from concerned authorities has halted the construction work of stadium. The work of the stadium would be completed as soon as we get the remaining amount of the funds”.
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