Laying of RTMNU synthetic track delayed again

Online work tender to be floated again

By Paritosh Pramanik

THE wait for second synthetic track in city is becoming longer. The track, which is supposed to come up at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) Sports Complex off Amravati Road, will take much longer. Nagpur has one synthetic track at Divisional Sports Complex, Mankapur.
The Public Works Department (PWD), which will be doing the construction work of the track, will be floating work tender once again. The earlier tender has to be scrapped due to “some discrepancies”.
“The tender will have to be floated once again as the earlier tender was not fulfilling our parameters,” said Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Physical Education and Sports, RTMNU while talking with ‘The Hitavada’.
The process of laying of synthetic track at RTMNU ground started way back in 2017 but due to lackadaisical approach from concerned departments, model code of conduct and lately coronavirus pandemic, it is being stretched for three years. It may be mentioned here that RTMNU has already deposited Rs 8 crore 60 lakh with PWD.
“I don’t think PWD would float online tenders in coming days. I think it will take another month or two,” said a peeved Dr Suryawanshi.
“The earlier tender was scrapped around four months back. The tender was not as per our parameters. We want specialised company to lay the synthetic track. There were a few who have constructed badminton courts, halls but not athletic tracks. We want experienced, specialised company to do the track work,” remarked Dr Suryawanshi.
Certain changes are also been done in the synthetic track plan. Though there will be eight lanes as per the original plan, RTMNU has decided to construct separate lane and pit for long jump and triple jump.
“This was not in the earlier plan. But now we have decided to lay separate lane for long jump and triple jump. This will be done near the Hostel building gallery. We have space on that side and we decided not to disturb the 8-lane track and create a separate one for jumping events,” Dr Suryawanshi informed.
Similarly, the university has dropped the plan of converting the football ground which has lawn into artificial turf.
“It was decided to replace the lawn turf of football field into artificial turf. But that plan also has been changed. We will continue with the same lawn turf but a fresh one would be laid. Special attention will be given to the work so that ground mud would not make way to the synthetic track. We may go for blocking tiles on the side of the track. The drainage system will also be renovated and slope from all sides of the playfield will be maintained,” Dr Suryawanshi elaborated.
The university is also planning to create space for throwing events like hammer throw and javelin throw.
“We have marked the area behind football goal posts for throwing events. We will have to create chain-cage for these events. If all goes well the hammer and javelin throw area will also be designated,” Dr Suryawanshi signed off.