The Uttarakhand government is trying to rope in ONGC to develop its sports infrastructure in the hill state where an investment of Rs 200 crore is required.
With an aim to strive towards achieving national and international standards in sports, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has requested the oil giant to develop various sports infrastructures in the hill state as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR).
In a meeting with ONGC CMD Sudhir Vasudeva here last evening, Bahuguna proposed various projects worth Rs 200 crore including construction of an International level Sports Academy at Suddhowala with a cost of Rs 100 crore, development of City Park-cum-Indoor Stadium at Sahastradhara with a cost of Rs 50 crore and upgradation of Parade Grou-nd, Pavilion Ground and Sports College where an investment of Rs 50 crore is required.
“This meeting was constructive and Vasudeva assured all possible help,” a top government official said. Bahuguna said the central government too had extended assurance to assist in developing sports infrastructures in the state.
The union sports ministry had also carried survey of the places where sports infrastructures were proposed to be developed.
Bahuguna, responding to the request of Vasudeva approved shifting of Women Poly-technique Institute from ONGC premises and allocated 5 acres land for the Institute near Technical University. He also gave a nod to the ONGC’s proposal for the beautification of historic Clock Tower and area between the Clock Tower and Chakrata Road. ONGC CMD agreed to the proposal of Chief Minister Bahuguna to provide financial assistance for Badminton Tournament hosted in memory of former Student Union leader late Himanshu Naithani.
The chief minister later said that Vasudeva had assured to get sanctioned the Rs 200 crore projects proposed by the state government for sports infrastructure development in the company’s board meeting which would be held before Aug 15.
The meeting was attended by finance minister Dr Indira Hridayesh, planning and sports minister Dinesh Agarwal, Director (HR), ONGC, KS Jamestin and Chief Secretary, Alok Kumar Jain.
