Irked by the appalling conditions at Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium, Central MLA Bonda Uma Maheswara Rao on Tuesday expressed displeasure with City Mayor Koneru Sridhar at the inauguration of the two-day sports meet for corporation schools held as part of the Children’s Day.
In defence to MLA’s anguish, Mayor Sridhar citied lack of funds and the answer did not go down well with the legislator. Mayor also hauled up civic officials for letting him down by shrugging responsibility.
Both Mr. Rao and Mr. Sridhar went round the stadium and took stock of the situation. They asked to superintending engineers and assistant engineers to take stock of the situation and submit a report. Proposals were made for sprucing up two toilets - one for men and another for women - near cricket nets.
“IGMC, the hub of sports activities in the city, is bereft of proper facilities such as underground drainage, toilets, drinking water and sanitation. The reason is lack of coordination among civic departments such as engineering, physical health, sanitation and civil,” felt a senior sports administrator.
Mr. Rao felt the need for widening of the walker track near the entrance of the stadium.
He said Vijayawada was emerging as a capital city and several national events would be held in days to come. “I will make IGMC a model stadium with all facilities soon. I will increase the green cover and make it look clean and modern,” he promised.
Many felt that the concept of regular maintenance was missing. “We have water points but they are out-dated. What is the use of refurbishing toilets if, on a daily basis, they are not cleaned,” questioned a player.
No water at the venueMuch to the surprise of spectators, hundreds of children from corporation schools were put to inconvenience at the sports meet and the major issue was drinking water. The childrenwere surprised by non-availability of water at the venue. In fact, some of them were seen lying on the floor gasping for breath for want of water.
Peeved at the lackadaisical attitude of the corporation officials, the media reacted widely bringing the issue to the notice of the Mayor and MLA .
Realising his fault, city Mayor, in no time, made the arrangements and soon gunny-bags full of water packets and mini eater mater bottles came to the venue. “Until afternoon there is no water in the ground. It was sad to see dozens of children rushing to those water pumps near toilets to drink water,” said a sports administrator.
Archery championship in DecemberJunior National athletic championship will be held from November 26 to 30 in which 3,000 young athletes from across the country will take part. Junior National archery championship will be held in December in which thousands of archers from all over the country will participate.
