Ranjit Thakur
Jammu, Sept 20: In a unique initiative of ‘Resource Management and Community Partnership’, Tehsil Administration Marmat of the Jammu and Kashmir’s district Doda has converted a barren land into a mini stadium without spending a penny.
Around fifty thousand people residing in Marmat tehsil which is situated around 35 kilometres from district headquarters Doda has not a single playground for the recreational purposes, depriving the local population of access to public recreation.
Youngsters in the area have shown an immense enthusiasm for sports activities such as Cricket, Volleyball and Wrestling, but they are unable to practice their skills because there is no playground available in the entire tehsil which forced them to travel to nearby stadium in Doda or Bhaderwah which not only waste their time, energy but money as well.
Zaheer Rana, Tehsildar Marmat told Excelsior, “I had received several requests and representations from the local people to identify the land for the playground. We identified around 10 kanal of land in Dranga in 2021 and because of the tough terrain, the land required huge amount of funds, men and machinery only to fill the basement of the ground, but we use the concept of ‘Resource Management’ and requested Shree Riddhi Siddhi Buildwell Limited who are already engaged in highway road project to use the construction muck in this open barren land and also asked them to construct playground for the local youth. The same muck which has not been used properly would have become a source of nuisance for nallah, and other greenery areas.”
“Around 75 percent work of ground levelling has been completed in the past few months as men and machinery of the company are working day and night to complete the dream project of Tehsil Marmat under Resource Management and Community partnership.” he added.
Rayes, a local resident said, “The absence of a playground was hurting the aspirations of several local youths who have the potential to represent India in different sports games. We had approached officials to construct a playground but our requests fell on deaf ears for a long time but finally we are delighted to have the first playground in our tehsil.”
“We had never imagined Dranga would have a playground, but the Tehsildar’s extraordinary efforts have transformed a desolate area into one that is now used for a variety of activities, including emergency helicopter landings, public rallies, and republic day celebrations that would not have been feasible in the area’s difficult terrain before” a local social worker said.
Pramod Gautam, Project Coordinator, Shree Riddhi Siddhi Buildwell Limited told Excelsior, “We are currently involved in the construction of a road on National Highway 244. Additionally, we have taken up the initiative to create a combined playground and park for the community of Dranga, as per the request of Tehsildar Marmat. We have completed approximately 70 percent of the project and find great satisfaction in contributing to society. Furthermore, we remain actively engaged in various other social endeavours in the area.”
Follow our WhatsApp channel
