Pipe dream: NMC fails to develop single ground in 14 months

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR Municipal Corporation (NMC) administration is quick on announcing developmental schemes but is too slow in implementing them.

The latest is the announcement of development of sports fields around the city.

In April 2021, the Sports Committee of NMC announced to develop at least one ground in each of six legislative constituencies of Nagpur.

The grounds were selected and NMC earned much publicity in the media with the then sports committee chairman Pramod Tabhane along with other officials clicking photographs inspecting the grounds.

It was decided to construct compound walls to protect the ground from anti-socials, toilets, water facilities at all the selected grounds.

Nagpurians, especially the sportspersons, were forced to believe that the grounds would be developed in the best possible way with all basic amenities.

But it has been more than 14 months since then, not a single ground has been developed.

NMC had selected six grounds in six legislative constituencies.

In North Nagpur, Guru Govindsingh Stadium, in West Nagpur, Marartoli ground; in Central Nagpur: Adarsh Vinkar Colony ground; in South Nagpur, Chowkoni Sports Ground and Yuva Sanskriti Krida Mandal; in South West Nagpur, Central Excise Layout Ground and in East Nagpur, Vidarbha Housing Board Colony Ground were selected to be developed with all basic amenities.

But till date officials hardly visited any of the six grounds after their so-called inspection. It was also decided that those grounds in NITs possession would be transferred to NMC to speed up the development work. But that did not happen.

When contacted, Tabhane said that the files for the tendering process are ready but are being stalled with the NMC Commissioner Radhakrishnan B’s office. 

“We have submitted all the documents for the tendering process in February this year. But things are not moving from the NMC Commissioner’s office,” alleged Tabhane. “A few files are with NMC Sports Officer Piyush Ambulkar,” he said. “The NMC has already passed a budget in which 5 per cent of the total budget is allocated for sports. It would require hardly Rs 1.25 crore to develop these grounds,” Tabhane told ‘The Hitavada’.

However, as per Radhakrishnan B, grounds are to be developed by Nagpur Improvement Trust and gardens by NMC. The NMC has no power to develop the grounds, he said.

“I have not received any such proposal or files. As far as developing grounds are concerned it is NIT’s job. We (NMC) are entrusted to develop gardens of the city. I would like to ask Tabhane as to who gave him the permission to inspect and announce development grounds. No such order was issued from our department,” clarified Radhakrishnan B.

“If I receive any such proposal to develop grounds of the city, I would transfer it to NIT,” he clarified.

Whatever be the rules, but it is the sportspersons of the city who are suffering.

Union Minister Nitin Gadkari has proclaimed that he is developing over 300 grounds of the city, but the fact is that six grounds selected by the city fathers remain orphaned. It seems that the plans are not realistic and they will never be more than a pipe dream.

Asphalting work for synthetic track under way

By Paritosh Pramanik

NAGPUR, June 1, 2022

The Department of Sports and Physical Education of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) wants this year the rains arrive a bit in advance. 

The reason: They want to test the surface and the level of the asphalt before laying off the synthetic track at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex.

The work of laying synthetic track at RTMNU’s ground is going at a steady pace and the asphalting work is almost done. Once the slope of the asphalted track is tested during rainy season, the last stage of laying of synthetic track will be 

started. It’s been more than a week that the asphalting work is being done at the ground and in the next 5-6 days it will be completed.

Speaking with ‘The Hitavada’, Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Physical Education and Sports said that they would now wait to check the slope and evenness of the track.

“We are waiting for the rains. That will help us check whether the slope is carried out perfectly for the track. If there are any uneven areas, we will take corrective measures to make it a levelled area. At the same time we will also be checking the drainage system during the rainy season. It’s now a matter of a couple of weeks and if all goes well, we will plan about the next stage,” said Dr Suryawanshi.

Heavy rollers are being used to make the tar track smooth and levelled. “I don’t think there would be any problem at the track area. Our main concern is the long jump area as it will be newly built. The running area already had a cinder track so the layers were properly filled with required materials. At the long jump area the soil will settle a bit and that has to be seen how much work would be needed on it,” explained Dr Suryawanshi.

Dr Suryawanshi added that the levelling of the football ground in the centre is completed with garden soil. “Proper slope too has been made and water will percolate evenly. The sprinklers too are installed. Once the lawn grass is sowed we will install sensors for sprinklers which will water the area evenly,” Dr Suryawanshi added.

RTMNU is also planning to upgrade the lighting system. At present the lights are of basic use. “We are planning to upgrade the lighting system. The high mast poles will have more powerful and extra lights,” said the RTMNU Sports Department Director.

The 8-lane synthetic track will have a steeplechase pit, one discus cum hammer throw cage, shot put ring, steeplechase water barrier, pole vault boxes, take off boards and other facilities. This will be the second athletics synthetic track of the city afterDivisional Sports Complex in Mankapur.

A couple of months ago an international measurement observer and athletics technical expert Low Kok Kwong of International Athletics Federation visited the construction site. He was satisfied with the laying work of the synthetic track.

In his first visit Kwong had checked the dimensions and tolerance level of the track.

Apart from the track, the university is planning to construct a practice arena outside the chained fencing area. “We have sent a proposal to PWD and are awaiting their reply,” said Dr Suryawanshi.

The entire 2 months’ journey was memorable: Nalkande

 

Vidarbha pacer Darshan Nalkande cherishes gujarat titans’ IPL title victory

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE golden confetti was spread all over. Gujarat Titans cricketers hugged each other and pumped their fists to celebrate their IPL title over Rajasthan Royals on Sunday. 

So did pacer Darshan Nalkande. It was a dream come true for the Vidarbha fast bowler who donned the Gujarat Titans Blue after being picked by the new franchise for a 

base price.

He might have played just two games but Nalkande felt he was part of the playing XI for all the 16 matches Gujarat Titans’ played in this IPL.

Nalkande played a couple of games and impressed all with his pace. For the records, the Akola-based bowler played against Sunrisers Hyderabad at DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and against Punjab Kings at Brabourne where he took two wickets.

The early victories set the tempo for the Titans and they marched on the victory path to conquer the peak.

Nalkande said the entire two months with the team are unforgettable. He said he would like to cherish each and every moment, not just the final victory.

“It’s yet to sink in. What a memorable two months. And when it ends in this fashion, it gets more beautiful,” said Nalkande of the title victory. 

“The entire two months’ journey was memorable. It was my first IPL and also for Gujarat Titans. It was also for the first time that Hardik bhai was leading a bunch of new guys. There are many moments to cherish but the best would be this maiden title victory on debut. Yes, another best part was that we, as a team, stuck together, in highs and lows and everyone backed each other. We celebrated each others’ success and shared their lows,” Nalkande said while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ over phone from Ahmedabad where the team will be staying for the next few days, attending functions.

Nalkande said that the positiveness in the dressing room helped all in winning crunch matches. “The coaches created the best environment around the team and there was a very healthy atmosphere. The dressing room atmosphere was very positive and I think that positiveness helped us in the crunch matches. The dressing room taught me how to stay calm and positive in crunch situations. That helped the team in winning the matches and eventually the coveted title,” Nalkande proudly said.

On his interaction and what he learned from India pacer and Gujarat Titans’ coach Ashish Nehra, Nalkande said, “Nehra sir kept it very simple. He taught me how to bowl in match situations, how to handle the pressure and how to read the batsmen. His minute tips helped me a lot as a bowler. He explained to me how to set the batsmen, how to prepare before the match days. Those hard yards we put during the practice helped us in lifting the trophy,” said Nalkande.

Despite playing only two matches, the Vidarbha pacer said he had no regrets of not getting more chances during the tournament and added that he felt he was part of the playing XI throughout the tournament.

“I have no regrets at all for not playing more than a couple of matches. I enjoyed every moment and above all I gained a lot of experience during the tournament, whether I was in the playing XI or not. I supported all my team members and there was no feeling of being left out. I felt that I was part of playing XI throughout the tournament,” he added.

Nalkande was impressed with the way captain Pandya presented himself throughout the tournament, on and off the field.“Hardik bhai is a very calm person. At the same time he is very hardworking and backs the youngsters right from Day One. I still remember the first day I joined the Gujarat Titans for a camp at Baroda. He (Hardik) was very friendly and talked with me very openly like old friends. He made me feel very comfortable. Even during matches, Hardik bhai supported me to the full and never let the pressure overtake me in my first match. He always gave me positive feedback. Even when I was making some mistakes he used to correct me in a very calm and cordial manner,” stated Nalkande.

“‘Don’t worry about bowling a bad ball. Just bowl according to the plan and to your strength’. When you get such support from your captain you automatically get pumped up and give your 100 per cent,” added the Vidarbha pacer.

Nalkande’s phone is flooded with WhatsApp. His phone has been ringing since Sunday night. He had a brief chat with his parents in Akola but it was too short.

“There are hundreds of WhatsApp messages. I replied to a few but there are many more and they still continue to come in. I had a very brief talk with my family back in Akola but will talk to them freely when we return from Chief Minister’s (Bhupendra Patel) House,” Nalkande signed off.