Even as the Punjab government paints an ambitious picture of a sports-rich future for Mohali, a stark contradiction has emerged, exposing deep flaws in planning and maintenance. While authorities are busy announcing a slew of new projects, several existing sports facilities in the city have been left to rot, raising serious questions about governance and accountability.
Grand Announcement for New Arenas Amidst Decay
In a significant development this week, local MLA Kulwant Singh declared that Mohali is set to receive 32 new state-of-the-art sports stadiums. The announcement came during his visit to review the under-construction sports stadium at Saidpura village. Singh revealed that approximately Rs 35 lakh would be invested in developing each facility.
The Saidpura project itself is moving forward, with the village panchayat playing a key role by providing 1.75 acres of land for the stadium and an additional acre for parking, taking the total project area to 2.75 acres. This push for new infrastructure is part of the state's broader roadmap to promote sports and engage the youth in constructive activities.
The Shocking State of Neglect at Phase IX Stadium
However, this fanfare for new projects stands in grim contrast to the reality at the multi-purpose sports stadium in Phase IX, Mohali. Once envisioned as a hub for nurturing local sporting talent, the facility now presents a picture of utter administrative apathy and neglect.
The stadium is in a severely dilapidated condition. In a shocking incident that underscores the level of negligence, solar panels worth crores of rupees, installed using public funds, were reportedly stolen from the site. This massive failure in securing public assets has triggered outrage and sharp criticism from local representatives and citizens alike.
Deputy Mayor Demands Probe, Highlights "Massive Wastage"
Mohali's Deputy Mayor, Kuljit Singh Bedi, has raised serious concerns over the condition of the Phase IX stadium, directly alleging large-scale wastage of public money and gross administrative negligence. He has demanded a high-level probe into the matter.
"The Phase IX stadium is in a dilapidated condition, and there is massive wastage of public money here," Bedi stated, voicing the frustration of many residents. This criticism points to a fundamental flaw in the system: a focus on launching new, showcase projects while failing to maintain and protect existing infrastructure built with taxpayer money.
The situation in Mohali highlights a critical governance issue. The government's push to build 32 new stadiums is now being scrutinized against its inability to safeguard and maintain current facilities. For the youth and sports enthusiasts of Mohali, the promise of a shiny new future rings hollow when the present infrastructure is left to crumble and be looted. The call for accountability is growing louder, demanding answers for the crores already lost and a concrete plan to ensure history does not repeat itself with the proposed new arenas.
