Laying of synthetic track in mid-October

 

RTMNU adds water harvesting and treatment plant at ground

A tank with a storage capacity of 2 lakh litres to be constructed to store rain water

By Paritosh Pramanik

August 1, 2022

Excessive rains in July tested Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s construction work of athletics synthetic track. And it ‘passed’ with flying colours. 

After completion of asphalt work on the track in June, the officials wanted to test the surface and the level of the asphalt before laying off the synthetic track at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex.

The rains last month helped the officials gauge the work and it was found that the work, till now, is up to the mark.

With the work moving in the right direction, the university is planning to lay the synthetic track in mid-October.

“We tested every aspect. Even 5 ft and 10-ft pits were dug beside the asphalted track to check the water logging beneath the surface. The surface is perfect and now we can move to the next phase. The laying of synthetic track, in all probability will be done in mid-October,” confirmed Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU while talking with ‘The Hitavada’ on Monday.

The 8-lane synthetic track will have a steeplechase pit, one discus-cum-hammer throw cage, a 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 after the Divisional 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.

RTMNU had a budgetary allocation of around Rs 10 crore for the synthetic track and the work is being carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD). With enough funds saved RTMNU has decided to construct a water harvesting system and water treatment plant at the ground which will help in watering the football field.

“We have saved a lot of money and it was decided to construct a water sump (tank) to save water. The sump will be of 2 lakh litres capacity where water will be stored.

“Another sump of a lesser capacity will be constructed beside the bigger one to store the overflow. This water will be used in watering the football field and also the synthetic track to maintain its heat,” said Dr Suryawanshi, who is also secretary of Nagpur District Athletics Association and a former international runner.

“The same treated water will also be used for the steeplechase pit. After storing the water in these two sumps, if there is more overflowing water then it will be diverted into the well. 

“Hence, there won’t be any shortage of water, I think,” Dr Suryawanshi concluded.