Waris Fayaz
Sopore, Oct 17: The government’s much-anticipated project aimed at promoting sports in Sopore area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district has come under heavy criticism as the Indoor Sports Hall at the famous Subhana stadium remains incomplete after six years.
The project, initially slated for completion within two years, has not only missed multiple deadlines but has also become a hub for illegal activities perpetrated by miscreants.
Expressing their frustration, local residents informed that the Indoor Sports Hall, which began construction in 2017, still stands incomplete. Despite relentless appeals from the community, authorities have remained unresponsive, leaving sports enthusiasts with no choice but to practice in the open, they said.
“The government’s claims of enhancing sports infrastructure in the region, particularly in the northern Apple town, have proven to be hollow. The promises made by the authorities have turned out to be mere hoaxes,” said Javeed Ahmed Bhat, a social activist and sports enthusiast.
Javeed, who is actively involved in promoting sports in the region, said the project, which was initially sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs 3.3 crore, was meant to be completed within two years. However, it repeatedly missed deadlines, with officials attributing the delays to a lack of funds, he said, adding that despite assurances from Roads and Buildings (R&B) officials and site visits, the promises made have consistently turned out to be false.
Executive Engineer of R&B Division Sopore, Himayun Raina, said the Indoor Sports Hall was approved under the Special Area Development Programme (SADP) with an estimated cost of around 3 crore rupees. However, due to a funding halt resulting from administrative complications, the project has remained incomplete, he said.
“At present, there is no funding agency committed to completing this hall. However, we are actively addressing the issue, and we hope that the district administration will step in to ensure the project’s functionality,” Raina added.
Local residents and sports enthusiasts have expressed hope that the authorities will take swift action to complete the Indoor Sports Hall.
