Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) for Jammu and Kashmir state included the construction and up-gradation of Maulana Azad Stadium , Jammu at a cost of Rs.42.17 crores with an aim to provide improved and better facilities to the sportspersons and it was expected that the deadline would be duly met in respect of all works associated with its up-gradation. However, National Projects Construction Corporation Limited which is a Government of India Enterprise has proved to be otherwise resulting in no new specific time-frame having been fixed for completion of the project either by the executing agency or by the Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council. It was in March 2017 when the Union Minister for Youth Services and Sports had informed the Lok Sabha that renovation and up-gradation of this stadium would be completed during financial year 2017-18.
The details of renovations, repairs and up-gradation of this stadium include extension of main pavilion, up-gradation as per Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) norms , up-gradation of seating area, installation of chairs, provision of public toilets, food plaza, flood lights for stadium, cricket ground with natural surface , practice pitch, proper drainage and other additional facilities. Once fully completed, the Stadium would be an ideal one in accordance with the dire need to promote sports in Jammu region.
It may be recalled that to go in for a massive renovation and up-gradation of this stadium was long overdue as most of its parts had turned into a near dilapidated condition and to make this stadium which otherwise is located at an ideal place, attuned to the requirements of the sportspersons of the state . That requirement was arranged to be fulfilled only both by realising the need of as also providing adequate funds for it, hence the PMDP . Accordingly, Jammu and Kashmir State Sports Council was made the Nodal Agency to supervise and monitor the progress on this project of much importance . It was decided that the project should be assigned to National Projects construction Corporation limited , a Government of India Enterprise which further allotted the job to M/s S .K .Integrated Consultants New Delhi .
Since the initial deadline could not be met by the NPCCL , March 2019 was the new date fixed by which the entire project was supposed to be completed in all respects. It is worth noting that the work on this project saw some speed and direction only after the imposition of the Governor’s rule in the state which resulted in regular reviewing of the work on the project at regular intervals. However, despite the assurances given by the concerned agency in each meeting about adhering to the revised time schedule , say by ending March 2019, completion seems not that near. Though lot of work is done but still some work is pending , there are heaps of unattended debris spotted at various points in those areas where the work is deemed to be completed. As on date, the delay is not only noticed but has sent a wave of surprise and anguish among the sportspersons who wanted the reasonable but much required facilities to be availed of to sharpen their sports spirit and ability . We would like to see the Stadium in new and renovated form at an early date which all concerned with the project should strive for , even if it meant strenuous efforts as two deadlines have been found not met, one after the other.
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