Bana Singh Stadium still a dream, As Govt. fails to release funds

Practice Evil
Bana Singh Stadium still a dream, 

As Govt. fails to release funds

Yash Khajuria

Jammu, April 11: Despite the tall Claims of the Government to develop the sports infrastructure in the rural areas of the Jammu province, the Bana Singh Memorial Stadium in R S Pura, is perfect example of the official apathy.

The stadium dedicated to the lone Param Vir Chakra awardee of the state, Hon Captain Bana Singh, was being developed under the authority of road and Building Department, for which the funds were provided by the Youth sports services department.

Dinesh Rampaul, Executive engineer R&B, disclosed that the total estimated cost of the stadium is around Rs. 136 lakhs and the amount issued in first phase which was Rs. 40 lakhs for the development has been utilized in constructing the drainage system, filling of the ground and two slaves of the pavilion are also been constructed with the given amount, and they are waiting for the further funds which will be provided by the Youth Sports services.

Since the work progress is been put on halt as the layout of the purposed stadium has been turned as no man’s land and a physical view of the Bana Singh stadium in RS Pura is enough to expose the tall promises of the State government who is keen to promote development of golf courses across the state and on the other side the same government has failed to develop basic facilities at the Bana Singh stadium, said Navdeep Sharma, young cricketer from R.S.Pura.

Playground marked for an ensuing stadium is being used shamelessly as urinal and parking place for the visitors of the Government Degree College nearby the Stadium, said Ex-serviceman, Makhan S. Choudhary, Local from R.S. Pura

For Any outsider visiting to the stadium dedicated to the Gladiator of the state, its difficult to find any mention of the brave soldiers’ heroism. A platform has been raised inside the ground but it is not worth anything as it is in shambles, he added.

It is pertinent to mention that, the state government had promised setting up of Bana Singh Stadium more than 20 years ago but it is yet to come up with a visible one. Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had sanctioned a sum of Rs 50 lakh for the development of facilities at the stadium in April 2010. But delay caused in releasing the money and starting the work on ground zero has further delayed the project.

Rohit Choudhary, Social activist from R.S. pura has said that the area consist the majority of backward class and OBC category who are already facing many hardships, and every successive Government has only made unfulfilled promises. However, the present government has initiated for developmental work in the stadium for the young sporting talent but it is not sure that how long it will take them to complete the work.