The State Government appears to have finally comprehended the importance of the under-construction Ransi stadium and subsequently its decision to construct a helipad on the Ransi ground in Pauri was withdrawn. The common people and the sports lovers hailed the decision. It is learnt that prodded by the State Government, the district administration has earmarked an alternative site for the helipad five kilometers away from Pauri, near the circuit house. The team of the civil aviation department has inspected the new helipad site, it is learnt.
The State Government mellowed and changed its stance in the wake of the local people resenting the decision to set up the proposed helipad right on the ground of the under- construction Ransi Stadium. The Chief Minister’s intervention was also sought.
Sub- divisional magistrate P l Shah told The Pioneer that the previous requirement for the space for helipad was around 30 by 30 meters. “But with the civil aviation team stressing on 40 by 40 meters, we have identified a space that is enough for the proposed helipad. Now, it rests upon the civil aviation department to start the construction at the new site,” he added.
Former Uttarakhand sports council vice-chairman Jaspal Singh Negi said that they along with the sports lovers and citizens of the town had identified a space for the helipad near the selected new site. “However the site selected by the administration is much better. The construction cost of the helipad will be much lesser if it comes up at the new site,” he said. Notably, the State Government sanctioned `5 crores for the construction of the Ransi stadium. The work was in progress when the controversy cropped up. The State Government withdrawing its earlier decision and deciding on a new site has been welcomed by the people. “This is a step in the right direction,” said a citizen of the town.