Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium that was renovated for 2010 CWG is falling apart
Nothing underscores the Government's apathy towards protecting its resources better than the deteriorating condition of the sprawling Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the Capital.
The stadium, which hosted the spectacular opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games nearly three-years-ago, lies in a neglected state requiring immediate maintenance and upkeep.
A whopping Rs 900 crore was spent on renovation of the stadium in the run up to the CWG 2010; however, the interiors of the grand sporting facility have already gone to ruin. Chairs are missing and ceilings have developed cracks.
The stadium, located at Bhishma Pitamah Marg in South Delhi, is deteriorating and is in a desperate need of repair and upkeep. Except for the pitch, the interiors of the building were visibly wrecked.
The Pioneer visited the stadium and found that the building looked like a wreck.
The caretakers of the stadium too complained of lack of maintenance on the part of the contractors who are responsible for spending Government funds on maintaining the facility.
“We have been complaining about seepage for several months now. Nothing is being done about it and it is only growing,” said a caretaker of the stadium on condition of anonymity.
The seats in the stadium were either missing or broken. Scores of chairs on the second floor were caked with dust and were placed in a lobby which had a broken false ceiling. “The ceiling is broken in many places and no repairs have been done. The pipes and wires which are supposed to be inside the false ceiling are now exposed and pose a threat to people,” said a security guard.
The National Buildings Construction Corporation (NBCC) is the current caretaking agency of the JlN Stadium after the CPWD handed over its responsibilities to them. The office of the NBCC, situated inside the stadium premises, is the only area other than the green ground in the stadium, which appears maintained. The rest of the structure is in a dilapidated state from the inside.
“The engineering and electricity departments conduct repair works at the stadium when we inform them and when the need arises,” said an official from the NBCC.
The Ministry of Sports sanctions nearly Rs 50-crore each year for the upkeep of stadiums, out of which Rs 12 crore is released for the maintenance of JlN Stadium alone. The Sports Authority of India (SAI) releases the money to the maintenance authority (now NBCC) gradually as per the needs, said an SAI official.
“We are aware of the problems in the stadium. NBCC was in a financial crunch till now, but the situation is improving. Money has been released now and we hope to begin the work within one week,” said SC Sharma, Administrator, SAI.
Asked about the persistent problems of inadequate water supply and poor drainage, the NBCC said: “These problems are tackled by the water supply and sewage departments and we keep informing them from time to time.”
The washrooms inside the building are also in a shoddy condition with washbasins without taps, seepage and overflow of water in the shafts flooding the floors and the drain covers are broken and soiled.