In Haryana, Rohtak bags infra projects, absence of basketball stadium sparks outcry
National player Hardik Rathee lost his life after pole fell on him in November
Though the state government announced several key initiatives and infrastructure projects for Rohtak in the budget presented by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini at Vidhan Sabha on Monday, sports enthusiasts expressed disappointment over the “neglect” of demand for an indoor basketball stadium at Lakhan Majra village.
The demand comes after the tragic death of 16-year-old village boy and national basketball player Hardik Rathee, who lost his life in November when a rusted basketball pole collapsed on him while practicing at the village.
“The state government’s failure to announce a basketball stadium for Lakhan Majra, despite a feasibility report already submitted by the local Sports Department, reflects a callous attitude toward the tragic incident. This was a prime opportunity for the government to win the support of sportspersons and show its sensitivity towards the tragedy by including the basketball project in the budget, but it failed to do so, causing deep resentment among the sporting community,” said Jagmati Sangwan, Bheem Awardee.
The family of Hardik Rathee also expressed disappointment over the non-inclusion of a basketball stadium project in the budget. “We were hopeful that the budget would include the basketball stadium project, but it left us disheartened. After the tragic incident, Sports Minister Gaurav Gautam had announced that a basketball stadium would be set up at the village, yet the proposal was not included in the budget,” said Hardik’s father, Sandeep Rathee.
He claimed that they had met Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini twice, urging him to establish the basketball stadium, and were assured of action, but there were unnecessary delays.
However, Rohtak, as per the budget proposal, is one of the districts where new sports stadiums will be constructed.
As far as the budget proposal for Rohtak is concerned, the CM proposed to make an additional 1,40,000 acres cultivable across several districts, including Rohtak. To support farmers, new soil and water testing laboratories will be established in Rohtak at a cost of Rs 9 crore, catering especially to the needs of fish and other crop cultivators.
Saini also announced that the Cooperative Management Centre in Rohtak will be upgraded to a Cooperative College and linked with Tribhuvan Cooperative University, strengthening academic and professional training in the region.
Food safety and quality will receive a boost with the establishment of comprehensive integrated food laboratories, including one in Rohtak. Existing testing and certification facilities in the city will also be upgraded into an Automated Testing Centre.
The urban infrastructure and civic amenities are set to expand as the multilevel parking facility in Rohtak is slated for completion, while the city will also host an integrated command and control centre to enhance municipal management and urban services. Additionally, district jail facilities in Rohtak will be upgraded with a new high-security jail, complementing public safety measures. A new youth hostel, Vatsalya Bhavan for women and children, will be established.
