Playground ‘promise’ fades in Patlabagh Pampore
Youth feel let down, demand construction of playing field
Pampore: A wave of disappointment and growing resentment is sweeping across the Patlabagh area of Pampore as hundreds of local youth continue to wait for a promised playground—despite the presence of vast stretches of unused state land. What was once a hopeful announcement by local authorities has now become yet another example of administrative apathy, the local youth alleged?
Two years ago, the then Tehsildar Pampore, Mohammad Asif, visited the area and officially identified a patch of land meant for the development of a dedicated sports ground.
Residents were assured that the project would be launched swiftly, raising hopes among the younger population. But today, those assurances ring hollow. Not a single brick has been laid, and no visible action has followed, the youth said.
The lack of recreational infrastructure is now taking a toll on the local youth, who find themselves without a safe and healthy environment for physical activity.
“This is not just about sports,” said 17-year-old Irfan Ahmad, a local student.
“It’s about our right to grow, to stay fit, and to stay away from negative influences. We’ve been waiting for years, and nothing has been done,” he added.
Prominent BJP leader Mohammad Lateef Bhat echoed these concerns and criticized the administration for its inaction.
“This playground is not a luxury—it’s a necessity,” Bhat said. “We are risking the mental and physical health of our younger generation. It’s high time the government wakes up and delivers on its commitment.”
He urged the concerned departments to act immediately and convert the identified land into a functioning playground, stating that delay in such projects not only affects community morale but also damages the trust between the public and the administration.
The people of Patlabagh are now questioning why, despite abundant government land, they continue to be deprived of something as basic as a sports facility. With youth engagement and public health on the line, residents are demanding that the long-pending project be revived before frustration boils over into protest.
As one local elder put it: “We don’t want more promises. We want action—and we want it now.”
