Ludhiana’s Rs 85-crore stadium hosts events other than sports

Harshraj singh

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Tribune news service

Ludhiana, February 9

After spending around Rs 85 crore on its construction, the “world-class” indoor stadium on the Pakhowal Road here has failed to serve its purpose. Only a few sports activities have been organised at the stadium since its inauguration in 2016.

It took around 12 years to build the stadium for which the construction work that had begun in 2004. There was an open ground at the site where residents used to play football and other sports in routine. Many others would visit the ground for walking or exercising daily. Now, even players are not allowed for daily practice at this “expensive” stadium.

The required power supply connection for this fully air-conditioned stadium, with seating capacity of around 4,000, is not available. When it was inaugurated, the MC authorities had claimed that sporting events like basketball, badminton, table tennis, taekwondo, fencing etc would be organised.

There is a provision to set up a library, clubhouse, and separate dressing rooms for players and practice ground for teams at the stadium. Besides, there are 74 shops, lifts and double basement with the capacity to park around 300 cars. However, the MC failed to sell or lease these shops.

The organisers concerned have to manage generators of around 1000 KW at their own cost to make the air conditions and lighting system functional. Even if a non-sport activity like seminar or function by a private agency is organised, heavy traffic snarls are witnessed outside the stadium.

Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary, Punjab Basketball Association said, “The stadium was built for sports activities, but its purpose is defeated. The required electricity load is not available. Besides, the charges for organising events are too high. Stadiums are not meant to generate income.”

An MC official, on the condition of anonymity, said there was a plan to handover the stadium to the Sports Department, but no decision had been taken yet. The official said around 90 per cent of the total events here were non-sports related events like seminars or music shows.

Raman Kaushal, SDO, MC, said a power connection of 100 KW was available at the stadium, but there was a requirement of 1,000 KW connection, for which the MC had applied.

“We have offered wholesalers association and others to take shops, but no one is ready to take these on rent. The MC had also organised an auction, but it had remained unsuccessful. Now, the stadium is being given on rent for non-sports events also,” he said.