Nurpur’s indoor stadium needs urgent repairs, synthetic track construction left midway

Resentment is brewing among sports lovers and the youth of Nurpur in Kangra district over the apathy of the state government towards the deteriorating condition of the Atal Indoor Stadium at the Chogan ground. The stadium was constructed at a cost of Rs 5.99 crore during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and on the initiative of then Nurpur MLA and former Sports Minister Rakesh Pathania. Envisioned as a platform to promote sports and steer the youth away from drugs, the stadium now presents a picture of neglect - it was inaugurated on June 2, 2022.

Local residents allege that after government changed in December 2022, the stadium had been “nobody’s baby”. The Youth Affairs and Sports Department has allegedly turned a blind eye to its maintenance and upkeep needs. The wooden badminton court has developed many damaged patches, raising concern among regular players that without immediate repairs, it can become unusable soon.

Ironically, the stadium is a multi-crore government asset but its upkeep and management has been handed over to a committee headed by the SDM, Nurpur. People, who pay a monthly fee of Rs 300 (children) and Rs 600 (adults) to use the stadium, complain that the facility is deteriorating steadily.

Local sportsmen and regular users such as Pankaj Kaushal, Gulab Thakur, Ishan Mahajan and Sabhya Lohtia say that on public demand, the Director of Youth Services and Sports had visited the stadium in the third week of November last year. He had inspected the deteriorating condition of the stadium and assured local people that shortcomings would be addressed and repairs undertaken within a month. “However, no steps have been initiated so far. We feel we have been befooled,” they lament.

The Director had also reviewed the stalled construction of the proposed 400-metre synthetic running track adjoining the indoor stadium. He announced that the project had been revised to a 200-metre track and that the Central Government had granted approval, assuring an early completion of the remaining work. Yet, no progress had been made on the ground.

Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma had also visited Nurpur and assured local residents that steps would be taken to improve the stadium’s condition and complete the work on the abandoned synthetic track. However, the residents say that these assurances are mere announcements.

The 43rd Senior State Basketball Championship and a national-level badminton tournament were hosted in the stadium recently, showcasing its potential as a premier sporting venue in the region. However, what was once hailed as a major boost to sports infrastructure in the lower Kangra region stands as a stark reminder of the alleged official neglect.

Ravi Shankar, District Sports Officer, Kangra says that the Central Government has sanctioned Rs 1.91 crore under the Khelo India Programme for the construction of a 200-metre synthetic track. The repair of the indoor stadium will be undertaken after the state government allocates funds.