The Hindu : Front Page : Indoor stadium project grounded for now

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Sep 06, 2006

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Indoor stadium project grounded for now

S. Ganesan

Since authorities are struggling to raise public contribution

TIRUCHI: Construction of an indoor stadium at the Anna Stadium complex here has come to a grinding halt owing to fund crunch, much to the disappointment of sports lovers.

The district authorities are unable to mop up public contributions as stipulated under the funding pattern of the project. Though the project was sanctioned in 2001, the foundation stone was laid only in October 2003. The multi-purpose stadium was intended for various indoor games. While the Centre agreed to provide Rs.60 lakh, the State Government was to contribute Rs.30 lakh. About Rs.88 lakhs was to be raised as public contribution for the project originally sanctioned at an estimated cost of Rs.1.67 crore. The delay led to a revision of the estimate to Rs.1.78 crore.

Though the State government released about Rs.14 lakh, the district unit of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu has been struggling to raise public contribution. So far, Rs.34 lakh has been raised. Collector Ashish Vachhani said the Centre agreed to release Rs.30 lakh. He expressed confidence that the work could re-start soon.

Nonetheless, the authorities are faced with the daunting task of having to raise another Rs.54 lakh by way of public contribution. With practically no fund flow and stoppage of work, official sources say that the contractor of the work is also sulking, citing steep escalation in cost of raw materials.

The authorities also face the prospect of losing the Centre's assistance if the project is not completed within the stipulated time frame.

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