Four years on indoor stadium Shopian awaits completion
Shopian: Even after a lapse of over four years, the indoor sports stadium at Arhama area, of south Kashmir’s Shopian district is awaiting completion, sports lovers alleged.
Players from different villages of the area said that they were very hopeful that by enhancing the sports infrastructure in the area, youth will get engaged in different sports activities and will remain away from social evils.
However, even after a lapse of more than four years the project seems nowhere near completion.
They said since the beginning, the construction work on the project was going at snail’s pace due to which the sports lovers besides players have already expressed their dissatisfaction.
“The project was given a deadline of 2 years for completion, however, four years have now passed but the project is yet to get completed,” said Shahid Ahmad, a local resident, adding that, stadium if completed will prove beneficial for budding talented players.
“Our valley is facing the nuisance of drug addiction which is due to lack of recreational opportunities given to our youth and such projects are very important to keep them away from drugs and other social evils,” Owais Ahmad, a local social activist said.
Locals said that they have brought this issue into the notice of concerned authorities but so far nothing has changed on ground.
They once again requested authorities to issue orders to complete the project at an earliest so that youth can get involved in sports activities and won’t fell prey to drugs.
Pertinently, the project is being executed by JKPCC at an estimated cost of Rs 4 crore.
When contacted, Deputy General Manager JKPCC Shabir Ahmad Najar said that work on the project is going on and it will be completed upto May this year.
He said that due to situation after August 05 decision and covid lockdown, the project completion got delayed and hopefully it will be completed this year.
Jahangeer Ganaie
