Work on four synthetic tennis courts stalled in Karnal; fails to meet May 31 deadline

Parveen Arora

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Karnal, July 11

The much-hyped project of four synthetic tennis courts, under the first phase of redeveloping sports facilities at Karna Stadium, has come to a halt. The work was going on at a slow pace, due to which it did not meet the deadline of May 31.

As per officials, for the completion of the project the deadline is likely to be extended. The delay has led to resentment among the tennis enthusiasts, who are waiting to avail the facilities.

Karna Stadium, the city’’s only sports complex, is being revamped by the Karnal Smart City Ltd. (KSCL), an agency looking after the Karnal Smart City project. The initiative aims at enhancing the sports infrastructure in the city, promising better facilities for athletes and sports lovers alike.

Hampering practice of players

We request the authorities to push the agency concerned to complete the project at the earliest as it hampers the practice of those sportspersons who are preparing for games. —Sports Enthusiast

Complete work at earliest

The deadline was May-end, but still lots of work is pending. The agency has been asked to complete the work at the earliest, otherwise action will be taken as per the agreement. — Ramphal, GM, KSCL

The first phase of the Redevelopment Project includes the construction of four synthetic tennis courts on the ground, which was earlier used for hockey, alongside a spectator gallery in the north direction with a capacity for 250 persons. Despite initial hopes, the progress has been slow, as work was halted for several days. The gallery is yet to be built, which has delayed the laying of the surface of the synthetic court.

Apart from it, two hostel blocks with separate entries and exits and a dining hall on the east side of the courts was planned. These hostel blocks are nearly complete. The men hostel will accommodate 90 players and the women 45 players.

The existing single tennis court is not sufficient for a large number of players and the delay has dashed the hopes of the tennis lovers. The local tennis players, who were optimistic about the new facilities, have expressed their anger.

“We are eagerly waiting for the new courts to become operational, but it seems that we will have to wait for more months. The existing single court is not sufficient to cater to the demand of a large number of players,” said a tennis player.

The tennis players urged the authorities to speed up the work. “We request the authorities to push the agency concerned to complete the project at the earliest as it hampers the practice of those sportspersons who are preparing for games,” another sports enthusiast said.

The KSCL authorities have acknowledged the delay and said that steps are being taken to expedite the project.

“The deadline was May-end, but still lots of work is pending. The agency has been asked to complete the work at the earliest, otherwise action will be taken as per the agreement,” said Ramphal, GM, KSCL.