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Looking like something from a Steam Punk movie, the half-built multi-disciplinary sports complex in Dimapur is reported to have run into funding problems.[/caption]
Dimapur, Aug. 22 (EMN): The Nagaland government’s decision to build a multi-disciplinary sports complex (MDSC) in Dimapur district, as was announced by the then Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio in 2003, had brought cheers to the public, especially from the sporting fraternity. But the sports centre, which was spoken of then as a 'dream project' for CM Rio, looks a distant dream now with the contractor facing fund hurdles from the state’s government during the past five years.
The MDSC is the first major sports project in the state and the largest of its kind to date. It was proposed to be constructed on a sprawling 64-acre site with an approved master plan envisaging a National Games-level sporting centre—one with a sitting capacity of approximately 30,000. Out of the 64 acres, the provision would include 15 acres for the Sports Authority of India (SAI), and a special area games (SAG) centre for outdoor-indoor sports training to be established and maintained by the SAI.
It is more than a decade now since construction of it started in 2006, but there is no sign of the project being completed. It was for this issue that on Wednesday Aug. 22 the Against Corruption and Unabated Taxation (Acaut) decided to act as a ‘facilitator.’ The organisation felt so to see 'where it has gone wrong' with the project, as per the assertion of Acaut’s Chairman Tia Longchar. The team led by Longchar and Co-chairman Simon Kelio visited the MDSC on Wed.
During a meeting with the MDSC’s contractor Neibu Nagi in Dimapur, it was established that the initial project provision was INR 60 cr. in line with special assistance from the Planning Commission, with a provision of INR 10 cr. per year. The comm. has released its share of INR 57 cr. while the state govt. is yet to release its share, it was informed.
According to Nagi, the last running bill he received was on Dec. 20 2013 after which he had to shell out from his own pocket the funds; it included having to sell two plots of his land in Dimapur so that the project would not be stalled. According to the contract, the contractor shall have to be paid monthly for all work estimated to cost more than INR 1, 000, but provided that a completion-certificate is submitted as approved and passed by the engineer-in-chief.
"This type of project is called as 'specialised project' which needs special workers and I could not afford to stall the project and lose the workers," Nagi told media persons and Acaut members. The project, according to the contract, was supposed to be a three-year project. However, due to lack of funds from the state’s govt., the project was being renewed every year. It would take another three years for the MDSC to complete if the state govt. releases the funds properly, the contractor said.
There is available online a presentation by CM Rio on the Annual Plan for 2011-12 in New Delhi, stated to have been given on May 18 2011, under the 'special assistance sought from Planning Commission': For the MDSC project of the Youth Resources & Sports, the approved estimate cost was mentioned to be INR 96.43 cr.; the expenditure up to March 31 2011 was INR 61.93 cr.; and the balance amount required was stated at INR 34.45 cr.
A document provided by Nagi to media persons states that the total provision was increased to approx. INR 100 cr., which would be to cover basic civil work as would be required.
'As per the original concept, starting with a proper stadium, the MDSC will not only encourage sports in the state at a high professional level but also enable the state to bag major sporting events. I have a hope with the present CM Rio as the project was his initiation and his dream project, although no funds have been released by the state govt.,' Nagi said.
The contractor pointed out that he had requested the state govt. not to call for tenders if the govt. was unable to pay the contractors.
• 30,000-seat capacity (Four wings)
• VIP gallery, terrace, and a lobby
• Space for players' facilities
• SAI-approved international-size football pitch
• Ground designed for major athletics and a professional track
• Additional facilities: Gym, sports science centre, spaces for officials, media centre with commentators’ bays
• A conference centre with a lounge, pantry, and a cafeteria
• Other utilities and services
