Rs. 8.95 crore to construct stadium sanctioned

The Education Department has sanctioned Rs. 8.95 crore for constructing a stadium near the beach in Karaikal. A sprawling site is available where work on 400 metre track, gallery, hockey court, basketball court, football court and volleyball court will be set up. A spacious gallery with a capacity of 3,000 persons will also be constructed in the area, according to official source.

The work will be executed through a loan sanctioned by the HUDCO and will commence within two months, after finalising tenders.

Meanwhile, construction of indoor stadium at an estimate of Rs.11.5 crore would be completed within two months.

“The plan is to take up new stadium work after the finishing work at the indoor stadium is completed,” the source told ‘The Hindu’ on Wednesday.

The indoor stadium was designed, on international standards, by the Indian Institute of Madras in consultation with the Sports Development Authority of India. Maple wood, imported from California, is being used for the flooring of the indoor stadium as it was the seasoned timber avoiding knee pain for sportspersons. The gallery for the indoor stadium would have a capacity of about 1,500 persons.

T. Thiyagarajan, Puducherry Electricity Minister, inspected the in-door stadium and ascertained the progress. Officials, led by Collector E. Vallavan, explained the technical details to the Minister.