National level Sports Centre at Ranjit Sagar Dam proves as rhetoric
Goldi Sharma
JAMMU, June 27: The proverb ‘one step forward and two step back’ seems fit for the functioning of premier sports body of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K Sports Council) as the Union Government had announced worth Rs three crores project-National level Sports Centre in Ranjit Sagar Dam near Palai village of Basohli to encourage water sports activities in Jammu division under PMDP but after lapse of five years, the Council has utterly failed to take possession of the proposed site from Tourism Department.
Well placed sources informed Excelsior that since the Government announced national level Water Sports Centre in Ranjit Sagar Dam near Palai village of Basohli, the Council’s officials failed to take the mater seriously, resulting of which the much awaited project has been lingering on unabated while same centre which was announced for Kashmir in Dal Lake near Nehru Park was completed with time bound manner and thrown open for organising a national level water sports event since last year.
Initially, the Council took up matters for taking possession of the proposed site with the Revenue Department but later it was informed by the Revenue officials to Council that this land is actually belonging to the Tourism Department. “Now the file regarding transfer of land from Tourism Department to Sports Council for establishing the same is biting dust in the cupboard of the Tourism Department, resulting neither the J&K Sports Council nor Tourism Department seems bothered about it,” said sources.
The unabated delaying in transfer of the said land, the sports lovers especially from the Jammu division has been depriving them of the facilities due to lackadaisical approach of the Council.
“Just after the announcement of the project, the Council had floated the tender of the said project for the construction of Centre building including gymnasium, dormitory for boys and girls, changing rooms, conference hall, auditorium with worth of Rs 1.75 crores that too without taking possession of the land, followed by the contractor who was shortlisted and assigned the construction work refused for the same due to unlimited delay in transfer of the land,” sources further said.
The incumbent Secretary of the Council once again asked the construction wing to float fresh tender for the same building but the officials of the construction wing are hesitating to do the same because of uncertainty prevailing over transfer of the land.
Although, the Council claims that the water sports activities at the proposed centre will be performed under an international coach where the boys and girls will also be trained for international-level events for different water sports but due to unlimited delay in construction of facilities is proving the only hollow claims of the Council, said an official while wishing anonymity, adding that with announcement of the same centre a ray of hope was raised among sports lovers of Jammu which has been diminishing with passing of the time.
“If Kashmir based Centre can be completed in a time bound manner and thrown open for organising national level water sports activities, then why not Jammu based despite repeatedly asked by the Advisor to Lieutenant Governor and Lieutenant Governor himself on various occasions while reviewing of the ongoing projects under PMDP,” questioned a water sports lover.
It is pertinent to mention here that in the year of 2016, the Prime Minister announced worth Rs 400 crores package under Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP) to J&K wherein major share of the package were announced for the development and up-gradation of two premier stadium of Jammu and Kashmir-Bakshi Stadium for FIFA level stadium whereas MA Stadium for International level cricket stadium along with 22 indoor stadium with worth of Rs four crores in all the district of erstwhile State of J&K but none of them were fully completed so far after lapse of sufficient time since from the announcement.
Principal Secretary Youth Services and Sports J&K, Alok Kumar said that he will personally look into the matter regarding unlimited delaying in transfer of the land for water sports infrastructure in Basohli and the matter will be resolved soon.
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