KOCHI: Even after a month since the government allotted Rs 7 crore for the renovation of Maharaja’s College synthetic track, the project is progressing at a snail’s pace.
A meeting convened by mayor M Anil Kumar on September 17 had decided to review the progress of the preparatory works within two weeks, but the college authorities haven’t convened the meeting so far.
According to sources in the college, a controversy related to felling of trees in the college campus and its sales is the major reason for the slow progress of the preparatory works.
“At the meeting held on September 17, it had been decided to conduct a review meeting within two weeks. By that time, the college authorities and those associated with Kerala Sports Council were asked to complete the preliminary works of the project. Inspection of the synthetic track by experts was advised to be completed within a few days,” said CICC Jayachandran, a member of the college development committee.
“The authorities are delaying the project implementation due to unknown reasons,” Jayachandran said.
The plan is to renovate the synthetic track as per the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) standards. This will help Maharaja’s College to get eligibility for hosting international sporting events.
Kochi has several advantages for hosting international meets like proximity of airport and accommodation facilities on a par with global standards. AFI had given its provisional licence to Maharaja’s College ground a few years ago. The licence will have to be renewed after completing the renovation of the synthetic track.
Physical education department of Maharaja’s College had prepared an estimate for renovating the synthetic track in 2018. As per the estimate, it would cost Rs 6.9 crore for the project.
In the first week of October, experts led by Palani Pillai had inspected the synthetic track. “The technical committee meeting for giving suggestions to prepare the detailed project report (DPR) was held. We have handed over all the required documents and provided technical assistance to public works department for preparing the DPR. Now, it is up to the PWD to prepare the DPR,” officials with the college said.
Meanwhile, the mayor said that measures would be taken for convening the review meeting within four or five days.
According to Kerala Sports Council, it will take two months’ time for completing the renovation once the DPR is approved. Besides renovating the synthetic track, warm-up areas will also be developed. Runways of high jump, long jump and javelin throw should also be renovated.
Hockey and basketball courts should be renovated using the remaining funds.
The hockey court in the college ground is in a dilapidated condition.
