AMBITIOUS PROJECT: Work on the synthetic hockey field has been taken up at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Hockey Stadium in Kodagu.

Madikeri: The first phase of work on the synthetic hockey turf is on at a brisk pace at the Field Marshal K.M. Cariappa Hockey Stadium here. The Central Public Works Department (CPWD), entrusted with the job, has taken up the project after a brief delay. Huge amounts of mud have been dumped and the ground has been levelled.

Boulders are now in place to take up the next stage of work. A separate road leading to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Girls' Hostel from the main gate is nearing completion.

"We will move in once the water supply and electricity connections are done," Prince Karumbaiah, SAI in-charge officer, told The Hindu . Initially, the moving of the SAI girl trainees, who are at present being accommodated on the District Stadium premises, was planned for March. Ensuing examinations and delay in water and electric supply connections are the reason for the postponement, he added. The exterior of the girls' hostel now wears a new look. The property has been leased to the Coorg Hockey Association by the University of Agricultural Sciences. By the end of May, the turf works should be over, Mr. Karumbaiah said. Preliminary works could take another two months.

Global tenders had been finalised in favour of a company to lay the synthetic turf, which is a specialised job.

He said Rs. 60 lakh would be spent on completion of the first stage of ground work. The same amount was being utilised for completion of the SAI hostel, he added.

He said Rs. 2.5 crore was ready for laying the synthetic turf. Senior Olympian A.B. Subbaiah had proposed this to Deputy Commissioner Subodh Yadavwho is keen to ensure early completion of the project, as is president of the Coorg Hockey Association N.U. Mohan Aiyappa.

The appointment of former MLA M.P. Appachu Ranjan as chairman of the Karnataka Sports Authority is seen as a positive development.

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