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Hindustan Times
31-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana: Basketball court delayed yet again
The indoor basketball court at Guru Nanak Stadium remains stuck in delays, missing yet another deadline despite repeated assurances. Part of the Smart City Mission, the project was expected to be completed by May 31, but that deadline too has slipped by, adding to a growing list of missed targets. Originally promised to be ready much earlier, the project has seen its completion date extended multiple times, from June and December 2024 to January and March 2025, and now past May 31, the basketball court is yet to be completed. Frustrated by the continued delays, the Ludhiana municipal corporation even slapped a ₹10 lakh fine on the contractor in March for the slow pace of construction. Earlier in January, Union minister of state for railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, had also taken the civic body to task for failing to complete the construction on schedule. The consequences of the delay are being felt most by the city's young basketball talent. With over 150 players depending on the court for training, the lack of space has forced them to practice during odd hours, as early as 4 am and sometimes as late as 11 in the night. 'The players struggled with only a single court available,' said Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary of the Punjab Basketball Association. 'The new facility would not only relieve pressure on the existing court but also provide a much-needed upgrade for our athletes,' Dhaliwal added. Once completed, the modern indoor stadium will feature two full-size courts, allowing simultaneous matches and better training opportunities. Currently, only one overcrowded court is available, making it difficult for the growing number of players to train properly. District sports officer Kuldeep Chugh previously said that about 80 to 85 percent of the work was already completed. 'Having three indoor courts in Ludhiana will be a game-changer for our young athletes,' he added. Superintendent engineer SL Gupta of the municipal corporation said that the court will be ready within 10 days. He blamed the delays on the maple flooring, which took longer than expected to install.
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Ludhiana: Deadline pushed back 6th time, basketball court at Guru Nanak Stadium still under construction
The indoor basketball court at Guru Nanak Stadium, being built under the Smart City Mission, continues to remain a work in progress, despite several missed deadlines. Initially set to be completed by March 31, the project has seen its timeline pushed back repeatedly. After missing the initial target, the deadline was first extended to June 2024, then December 2024, followed by January 2025, and then March 31. When April passed without completion, the deadline was pushed to May 31. This marks the sixth time the deadline has been revised. The constant delays prompted the Ludhiana municipal corporation (MC) to impose a ₹10 lakh penalty on the contractor for slow pace of work in March. In January, Union minister of state for railways, Ravneet Singh Bittu, had also criticised the civic body for failing to deliver the project on time. With the delay dragging on, over 150 basketball players who regularly train at the stadium have been forced to manage during odd hours in limited space. Teja Singh Dhaliwal, general secretary of the Punjab Basketball Association, expressed his concern, stating, 'Due to the lack of space, players begin practice as early as 4 in the morning and sometimes train as late as 11 in the evening. The new court, once ready, will ease pressure and give our athletes access to a world-class facility.' Designed to host two matches simultaneously, the new indoor court is expected to boost both training and competition levels by saving time and increasing participation. The single court available currently lacks enough space for the growing number of players. District sports officer Kuldeep Chugh stated, 'Almost 80-85% of the work is done. We are optimistic that the May 31 deadline will be met. Once completed, the district would have three indoor basketball courts, which will be a big plus for local talent.'
