Karnataka to upgrade sports infrastructure

Three projects, including one relating to sports, were set in motion in Mysore recently. The district stadium will be developed with infrastructural facilities at a cost of Rs 20 crore for conduct of sports on regular basis. The 400 metre track will be upgraded into a synthetic track at Rs 6 crore cost, while the hockey field will have astro turf at Rs 3.25 crore.

Funds for these two proposals have been provided in the current year budget, according to District Youth Services Officer Ramesh.

An alternative site has been acquired for the construction of a swimming pool after resolving the dispute over the land where the pool was earlier proposed. The Mysore Development Authority had provided Rs 50 lakh for the construction of the swimming pool.

Mysore Deputy Commissioner Harsh Gupta, who reviewed the three projects on Monday, asked the sports authorities to prepare a Rs 2 crore plan and estimates for the construction of the pool on modern standards.

He also directed them to lay wooden floor and improve lighting in the indoor stadium located in the sports complex and complete the works before the forthcoming Dasara celebrations.

He asked the education department officials to make use of the stadium regularly for the students of the government schools.

The second project which relates to the development of Kala Mandira, venue of cultural programmes. A Rs 1.81 crore scheme has been sent to the state government for approval. Overall improvement include false ceiling works costing Rs 41 lakh, which will be completed in about a week, Rs 48 lakh for speaker system and Rs one crore for lighting, according to Assistant Director of Kannada and Culture Manjappa.

The Deputy Commissioner directed the officials to complete the works before Dasara taking experts’ help so that the Kala Mandira is available for Dasara programmes.

The third projects relates to the Bal Bhavan, the centre for children’s activities in Banni Mantap. A comprehensive development project costing Rs 4.05 crore has been prepared under private public participation. The children’s train will become operational in a month, Women and Child Welfare Department Assistant Director N R Vijay said.

Harsh Gupta, who reviewed the proposal, asked the officials to adopt the Hyderabad Bal Bhavan model for the Mysore Bal Bhavan development and suggested a Rs 25 lakh be spent for immediate works.