17 years on, another bid to set the ball rolling for Jalandhar's sports hub
The project, which has remained in limbo for 17 long years, is now estimated to cost ₹77.77-crore.
Facilities for outdoor & indoor games
The sports hub, which is to come up on 60 acres, will include outdoor sports facilities such as cricket stadium, astroturf hockey ground and seven-side football ground (natural grass), each with separate pavilion areas. It will also have indoor sports facilities for multiple disciplines including yoga, skating, cycling and jogging.
In limbo since 2008
The project was first floated by the Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party combine in 2008. In 2016, the Union ministry of housing and urban affairs announced that Jalandhar will be developed as a Smart City, with the sports hub set to be one of the key projects. In 2022, just before the state assembly elections, the then Congress government had awarded the project's tender to a Chandigarh-based firm, with a completion deadline of 12 months, but it only managed to construct the boundary wall. A sum of ₹1.13-crore was also released to the company after which the MC terminated the tender.
Jalandhar mayor Vaneet Dhir said the municipal corporation has re-allotted the tenders to the same company, which was assigned the project earlier. 'The project had been hanging fire due to lack of political and administrative will because of which contractors were also reluctant to work on it. In the last four months, multiple meetings were held with contractors, who were ensured that all the required logistics will be provided for the completion of the project,' said Dhir.
Former AAP MP Sushil Kumar Rinku, who is presently with the BJP, said it appears to be a 'gimmick' to score brownie points.
'Both Mann and Kejriwal had promised the revive the project while campaigning for me during the 2023 Jalandhar bypoll. Exactly two years on, they are doing a formality of initiating the project,' said Rinku.
He also questioned why the tender was awarded to the same company, 'which had left the project mid-way'.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
PM Narendra Modi praises RSS, calls it ‘biggest NGO in the world'
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday described the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh as the biggest NGO in the world and praised the organisation for its selfless devotion to 'man making and contributing to the nation.' The RSS is the ideological fount of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). (PTI photo) The RSS is the ideological fount of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). In his Independence Day address from the ramparts of Red Fort, the prime minister paid tribute to the volunteers who contributed to the nation over the years. Also Read: RSS chief cites cow example on 'balance', says shelters won't solve dog issue PM Modi, who was a full time volunteer of the RSS, hailed the organisation, which is celebrating its centenary, and said that its 100 year old history is replete with the ideas of 'Seva, Samarpan, Sangathan and Anushasan' translating to English as Service, Sacrifice, Organisation First and Discipline. He also lauded the work done by the organisation through a vast network of offshoots in different sectors. The prime minister said in the last hundred years, the organisation has worked with dedication and will continue to inspire us.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"RSS World's Biggest NGO, Involved In Nation Building": PM On RSS' 100 Years
The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is the world's biggest non-governmental organisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said, as he lauded the Bharatiya Janata Party's ideological parent that is set to mark 100 years of its foundation this year. "The RSS was formed 100 years ago. It was always involved in nation building. The RSS is dedicated to India's service. It is the world's biggest NGO. Am proud of the history of RSS," the Prime Minister said as he addressed the nation on the occasion of 79th Independence Day. The RSS, led by Mohan Bhagwat, is planning to hold mega celebrations from August 26 to mark 100 years of its foundation. The flagship event to mark its 100 years, titled '100 Years of Sangh Yatra - New Horizons', will be held from August 26 to August 28 at Vigyan Bhawan in Delhi. During this event, Mr Bhagwat is expected to hold an interaction with various sections of society. The event will include lectures, dialogues, and discussions with influencers from 17 fields, including the media, diplomacy, religion, and academia. Similar interactions will also take place in other cities - Bengaluru in November, and Kolkata and Mumbai - in February next year. While all diplomats will be invited to the event, the RSS has decided not to invite envoys from Pakistan, Turkey, and Bangladesh, sources said.
New Indian Express
2 hours ago
- New Indian Express
One injured as bridge under construction collapses in Kerala
KOZHIKODE: A portion of the under-construction Thorayikadavu bridge, which connects the Koyilandy and Balussery constituencies, collapsed on Thursday afternoon, injuring a worker. The incident occurred over the middle of the river when a newly installed beam tilted and gave way, causing the concrete structure to collapse along with it. The incident has sparked widespread concern and prompted immediate action from authorities. Local residents and political workers have alleged that substandard construction practices may have led to the collapse — an allegation that is now under official investigation. The injured worker was identified as being part of the construction crew and was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. The Thorayikadavu bridge is designed to connect the Pookkad and Atholi riverbanks. The project, funded by KIIFB (Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board) with a budget of approximately `23.82 crore, is being constructed by the Malappuram-based PMR Group. The bridge is planned to be 265 metres long and 12 metres wide. The construction work is overseen by the PWD Kerala Road Fund Unit. According to local resident Ajay Bose, several construction workers narrowly escaped serious injuries when the beam collapsed during concreting work. 'It's a miracle more people weren't hurt,' he said, highlighting the dangerous nature of the incident. Following the collapse, a higher official with PWD demanded an urgent report from the project director. He stated that further action would be taken once the report is received. Congress workers expressed outrage over the collapse, calling it a textbook example of negligence and corruption. They demanded a thorough probe and strict action against the construction company. 'This is not just a structural failure; it's a failure of responsibility,' said a local Congress leader, who preferred to remain anonymous. 'The public deserves to know why a project of this magnitude, funded by public money, was allowed to be compromised.' Residents said the bridge was seen as a vital infrastructure project that would improve connectivity and boost the local economy. They are demanding accountability from the construction firm, PMR Group, and have called for an urgent and transparent inquiry.
