Nagaland plans to hand over the Dimapur Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex to the Sports Authority of India to complete construction and develop coaching facilities.
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KOHIMA — Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that Nagaland government is in the process of signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to complete and operationalise the Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex in Dimapur.
Replying to a starred question raised by MLA Nuklutoshi during the eighth session of the Nagaland Legislative Assembly, Rio informed that the MoU documents are currently with the Law and Justice department for vetting.
He said that the department has been asked to complete the vetting process at the earliest so the file can be placed before him for approval, after which the MoU will be signed.
Rio stated that once the project is handed over to SAI, the department of Youth Resources and Sports will sign an agreement with the SAI regional directorate, which will then take responsibility for completing the construction and utilising the facility.
He added that SAI would deploy national-level coaches in different disciplines, pointing out that infrastructure alone would not benefit athletes without proper coaching support.
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The chief minister informed the House that the total sanctioned amount received so far for the project is INR 140 crore.
He said that the delay in completing the complex was mainly due to piecemeal funding. Between 2006–07 and 2010–11, the erstwhile Planning Commission released INR 43 crore for the project.
However, funding stopped thereafter, following which the state government infused INR 10 crore in 2011–12, he said.
Recalling the genesis of the project, the chief minister said that the sports complex—spread across 64.25 acres—was one of the largest sports infrastructure projects undertaken in the state.
The area has already been fenced and there is no issue of land encroachment, he added.
According to him, the original proposal in 2006–07 was for the construction of a main athletic stadium with an RCC gallery structure costing INR 60.57 crore and with a seating capacity of 30,000.
Due to limited resources, the state approached the Planning Commission, which agreed to provide funds in phases.
The commission released about INR 11 crore annually between 2006 and 2011, amounting to INR 43 crore in total.
Rio said that the project later stalled after the Planning Commission was replaced by NITI Aayog and funding from the Centre ceased.
He added that with rising costs, additional structural requirements and the implementation of GST, the total project cost has increased.
According to current estimates, the total requirement for completing the complex stands at around INR 267 crore, including additional works and GST components.
Rio said that the state government later allocated funds through capital investment, taking the total sanctioned amount to INR 140 crore.
Only viable solution
According to the chief minister, handing over the project to SAI is the only viable solution to complete the stadium and establish national-standard coaching facilities.
“Otherwise, even if the stadium is completed, without proper coaching infrastructure our sportspersons will not benefit,” he said.
Rio also recalled that he had discussed the matter earlier with former Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur, who had in principle agreed to support the proposal after inspecting the project.
However, the plan could not progress further after Thakur did not continue in the same portfolio.
He said that formalities have now been completed and the government is moving forward with the process of handing over the project to SAI.
Rio also pointed out that the stadium requires improved road connectivity.
He shared that at least three access roads are needed for a stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000 to allow spectators to enter from different directions.
“At present there is only one entry point, which will not be sufficient,” he said.
The chief minister added that the existing roads leading to the complex are narrow and would need expansion, which may involve payment of compensation for land acquisition.
Rio also said the contractor cannot be entirely blamed for the slow progress, as the project has suffered from insufficient funding.
He said once the present contractor completes roofing and walling works, the project will be handed over to SAI.
The chief minister urged the departments concerned to survey the road connectivity and entry-exit points and submit their reports, stressing that proper planning is necessary for the stadium to function effectively.
He expressed hope that once completed, the complex would enable Nagaland to host national and regional sporting events.