New paver-block track at PU grounds raises questions

Deepankar Sharda

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Chandigarh, November 3

In a surprise move, the Directorate of Sports is coming up with a walking trail made of paver blocks at the Panjab University (PU) grounds here. 

The work to build the paver-block track, which was approved two years ago by the then Panjab University Sports Committee at an estimated cost of Rs 10 lakh, has already started and the office of the Sports Director is now spending Rs 22 lakh for completion of the project. 

Questions have already been raised at the purpose of spending so much of money on building a hard track. 

The PU grounds are already in a shamble and building a walking trail of paver blocks is not going to help the players in any way, felt experts. 

It is always advised to exercise or walk on grass or cinder surface. 

"We are building a walking track of paver blocks as per the orders of the Directorate of Sports," said RK Rai, Executive Engineer, PU. 

When asked about the life of paver blocks and its draw backs, the Rai evaded the query saying that a cinder track needs more attention than paver blocks. 

The UT Administration has already told the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation to discourage the excessive use of paver blocks because of its cost considerations.  

Sports Director Parminder Singh, meanwhile, said the paver-block track trail would help regular walkers in rain. 

He also said cinder tracks were meant for parks and not for play grounds. "The project was approved before I joined the office. It will allow regular walkers to use the grounds even in rain or when the grounds are wet. The cinder track needs more attention. It is meant for parks…," Singh said.

The Director, however, failed to explain how the track could be beneficial for the players. 

When asked whether the amount for the project was a part of the Panjab University Sports Committee fund, the Director said: "I don't remember exactly, whether the amount is taken from the sports committee or not. I think, it is being taken from a separate fund." 

The project is already facing opposition as players and coaches were expecting a cinder track or a grass track. 

"The authorities are spending Rs 22 lakh for covering the entire ground with paver blocks. The track is not wide and no one will prefer to walk on a hard surface when there are open grass field on the premises. In rain, no one comes out to walk and in case of wet grounds, the walkers can use PU roads which have less traffic in the evenings. This is total wastage of money. Instead of this, they could have upgraded the athletics track for the players," said a coach appointed at the PU. 

A coach from a local college added: "In rain, there is high risk of slipping on paver blocks. On one side, we are trying to make the campus eco-friendly and on other side we are spending a huge amount to remove the grass cover and turning it into concrete."