Work on Synthetic Track laying in Mangala Stadium in progress in Mangalore on March 19, 2012. Photo: R.Eswarraj / The Hindu

Mangala Stadium will get a full-fledged synthetic track by May end, Deputy Commissioner N.S. Channappa Gowda said here after reviewing the progress of the work on Monday.

Mr. Gowda told The Hindu that he was hopeful of ensuring that facilities to hold competitions on either side within the track (called D areas) would be created. The tender that had already been awarded was for the creation of facilities only in one D area. Mr. Gowda said the district administration had apprised the Government of the need to create facilities on both sides.

Sportspersons, sporting bodies, and coaches have said that major tournaments could be held only if facilities were created on either side as this would allow holding of multiple events simultaneously.

The tender for the Rs. 3.15 crore synthetic track has been awarded to the lowest bidder – Delhi-based sports infrastructure company Syncotts International, which has been given four months to complete the work. The creation of additional facilities to allow competitions on either side is expected to cost Rs. 40 lakh. Mr. Gowda said that the sports infrastructure company would be asked to place orders for synthetic material (which have to be imported) for facilities in the second D area too, after securing in-principle approval from the Government. He agreed that the administration would have to bear additional financial burden if it had to import in two consignments.

According to an official release, Mr. Gowda said that the two committees — one for supervision and another to ensure compliance to technical standards — have been formed to ensure quality in laying the synthetic track. In addition, the firm would get money only after the International Athletics Federation certified the quality of work, he said.

Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly N. Yogish Bhat, who presided over the review meeting, said that he would take up the matter of providing facilities in the second D area with the Department of Sports and Youth Affairs, according to the release.

Mr. Bhat urged the district administration to develop a swimming pool in Emmekere Lake which was being developed.

Mr. Gowda earlier asked the officials concerned to submit reports regarding the proposals to set up a sports hostel in Kadri and an indoor stadium on a 1.5-acre land in Shakthinagar. Commissioner of Mangalore Urban Development Authority Ajit Kumar Hegde said a report on the proposal to develop a sports ground in Bangra-Kuloor areas would be prepared.

Mangala Stadium Committee members said there was an agreement with the Corporation Bank to meet the expenses of maintenance of the stadium. Mr. Gowda said he would hold further discussions with the bank’s Chairman and Managing Director. About Rs. 40 lakh had been released for developing a stadium at Swaraj Maidan in Moodbidri, the official release said.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / News> Cities> Mangalore / by Special Correspondent, Mangalore / March 20th, 2012