Integrated sports complex at Vizag remains a pipe-dream
By Newsmeter Network Published on 21 Feb 2020 8:13 AM GMT
Visakhapatnam: Even as Visakhapatnam lacks infrastructure to host championships pertaining to hockey, football, and several other disciplines, the district administration is delaying the process of land allocation for the proposed Integrated Sports Complex at Aganampudi in the city limits.
After years of exercise, Visakhapatnam district was allotted around 80 acres of land to Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) for the ambitious project.
The State Government had proposed to set up a state of art stadium (sports complex) in Vizag city similar to the GMC Balayogi Stadium in Hyderabad to provide a state-of-the-art platform to hone skills.
A senior officer with District Sports Authority (DSA) on condition of anonymity said that they would need another 75 acres for the project. “We are expecting that the land allotment process for the mega project will be expedited,” he added.
It needs an estimated Rs 400 crore. The integrated sports complex will have indoor and outdoor stadiums, synthetic tracks and many more features, said N Surya Rao from the DSA.
Sources said it may not transpire immediately due to delay in land allotment and dearth of funds.
There is no clarity on whether the AP government will take up the project with their funds or will go for Public-Private Partnership (PPP) since the estimated cost for the project has been escalating.
The sports fraternity expects that the government will take positive steps and boost the morale of the talented lot, which is devoid of ultramodern stadiums to fine-tune their talent.
