Not Quite On Track

By Paritosh Pramanik

AN UNEVEN running track, no place to change clothes, incomplete sitting area, no lights, no arrangement for drinking water... Welcome to the Divisional Sports Complex’s Synthetic Track Stadium, Mankapur.
The recently-constructed first and only synthetic track has seen relaying within a couple of years. The track was laid in April 2017 and within two years the upper layer became uneven due to the red layered surface losing its grip with the layer beneath it.
When this track was under construction, athletes and coaches of the city had heaved a sigh of relief that they would get a proper place to practice. But due to apathy from government department, which handles the maintenance of the complex, the track has started earning a bad name even before it is properly recognised.
The upper layer of the synthetic track was relaid a few months back. Yet the ‘bubbles’ in the track remain at a couple places at the 100 metres stretch area. According to several athletes and coaches no watering is done on the track which is one of the major reasons for the rubber losing the adhesive.
When in use, players, specially female, find it difficult to change as there is no changing room. Above all, not a single washroom is in place at the compounded area of the synthetic track.
Players and coaches are praying with folded hands to get a chance to practice so that they could prepare for the forthcoming district, state and national meets. But they were told by the Deputy Director office that repair work was still going on and hence they could not practice. But when ‘The Hitavada’ visited the track no work was in progress.
Nagpur Improvement Trust appointed Super Construction Company of Nagpur to construct the stadium including the track. They then forwarded the work to Hyderabad’s Grace Infra Pvt Ltd at a cost of Rs around 40 cr.
But poor work quality of the synthetic track saw the upper red layer losing its granules and grip with lower layer and it was decided to relay the turf. The Divisional Sports Complex decided to shut the door and asked NIT to repair the track in January 2019. But till now the players are denied entry inside the stadium for practice.
When contacted, NIT washed its hands saying the track is ready and can be used by the players.
“We have no problem in players using the track. We had asked not to use the track for 20-25 days after it was relaid. It is ready barring a couple of spots which are yet to be repaired. But the other part of the track can be used by players,” said an Executive Engineer of NIT on condition of anonymity.
Several coaches have complained about non-availability of basic amenities at the synthetic track but all have fallen on deaf ears.
“There are no lights at the stadium due to which players can’t practice late in the evening. As the sun sets, anti-social elements throng the area making it risky for female players. There is no changing room for girls. The spectators gallery, where there are proposed washrooms and changing rooms, is incomplete. There are no lights. It is very difficult to train the players. Now we are told that the track repair work is still going on and we can’t use it,” said one of the aggrieved coaches.
“We want our athletes to train, if not at the synthetic track then at any other ground in the surrounding. But all the grounds are occupied either by cricketers or football players who did not allow us to practice there. Where should we go no,” asked the coach.
NIT’s contractor has stopped the work of spectators’ gallery due to non-payment of dues. “The work would start immediately after the pending bills of contractor are paid. Work of around Rs 8 crore is pending. After the Divisional Sports Complex Committee releases the funds, work will begin and will be completed as soon as possible,” said a source at NIT.
Deputy Director of Sports Subhash Rewatkar said they have received the funds and it would be released soon.
“We have received the funds and the same would be released soon. The construction work of stadium will be completed as early as possible,” he said.
On opening the gates of the synthetic track for players, Rewatkar said, “Once the remaining relaying work is completed they will allow the players.”
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Complete work on 
war-footing: Suryawanshi
Nagpur District Athletics Association secretary Dr Sharad Suryawanshi has demanded that the remaining work of the synthetic track should be completed on war-footing.
“Concerned department should complete the remaining work on war-footing. New athletics season has almost started and players need to prepare for that. As per new guidelines of Athletics Federation of India all the competitions of senior categories have to be held on synthetic tracks. For that our star and internationally acclaimed athletes like Nikita Raut, Prajakta Godbole have to practice on these tracks. 

“The authorities should allow players to practice on the relaid track leaving aside that part which is yet to be relaid,” requested Suryawanshi.