A multipurpose Indoor stadium at the district sports ground under construction for the past eight years in Pudukkottai town.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
Athletes in Pudukkottai have urged the State government to complete the long-stalled construction of a multipurpose indoor stadium at the district sports ground, which remains unused for the past eight years.
The stadium project was sanctioned in 2017–18 with an initial estimated cost of ₹1.5 crore to construct a facility measuring 16 metres in breadth and 30 metres in length. It was part of a larger initiative by Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) to establish Multipurpose Indoor Stadiums in 20 districts, each with a budget of ₹1.5 crore.
However, during a review led by the then Collector S. Ganesh, it was decided to scale up the structure to 30 metres by 60 metres, at a revised cost of ₹4.62 crore, to meet international standards. The additional funds were to be mobilised through public contributions.
Following this, the Public Works Department (PWD) awarded the construction contract and work commenced. A sum of ₹1 crore was collected from the public and contributed through the State’s Namakku Naame scheme, under which the government matches contributions in a 1:2 ratio. While the core building structure was completed, funds under the scheme were not released, leaving the project without essential installations such as doors, windows, and sports infrastructure.
Despite being envisioned as a world-class facility, the indoor stadium project remains incomplete. Sources said, the stadium can seat up to 1,000 spectators and is intended to support a wide range of indoor sports, including volleyball, basketball, badminton, boxing, and taekwondo. It is equipped to host international-level shuttle tournaments with space for eight badminton courts, and features removable flooring to accommodate up to four volleyball courts and other team or individual sports. Planned amenities include separate toilet blocks for men and women, dressing rooms for women athletes, and four administrative rooms.
A recent visit by the State Legislature’s Public Accounts Committee, headed by MLA K Selvaperunthagai, expressed dissatisfaction over the delay. The project was also flagged in a recent report by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India.
When contacted, a senior official from the Department of Sports and Youth Welfare said the indoor stadium was constructed by the PWD, while the Namakku Naame contributions were handled by the Rural Development Department. “Due to the involvement of multiple departments, the ₹3 crore matching grant under the scheme was never released,” the official explained.
The official added that the ₹1 crore collected from the public has since been reimbursed to the contractor, along with the originally sanctioned ₹1.5 crore. A fresh proposal seeking ₹4.66 crore to complete the remaining works and install training infrastructure has been submitted to the government. “Work will resume once financial approval is obtained,” the official said.
Published – May 03, 2025 08:18 pm IST