Mini stadiums found below par
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 23 2014 : After large scale discrepancies were detected in the construction of mini stadiums at Thoubal, Ukhrul, Chandel, Senapati and Jiribam, a high power committee headed by the Chief Secretary as Chairman has been constituted at the instruction of the Chief Minister for proper enquiry.

The mini stadiums were constructed at the cost of Rs 16 crore each by Youth Affairs and Sports Department with Manipur Development Society as work agency.

The mini stadiums were constructed with monetary assistance from the Government of India with the objective of improving sports infrastructure at district and sub-divisional level.

Construction work of the mini stadiums started in 2005-06.Following complaints of large scale discrepancies in the construction process, the high power committee was constituted in the later part of March this year and it was directed to submit a report within a month with regard to the mini stadium constructed in Thoubal.

No specific time period was given for other districts.

Mini stadiums found below par

As directed, the high power committee has submitted its report about the mini stadium constructed at Kodompokpi, Thoubal district.

The report recommended that the front portion of the mini stadium should be dismantled and constructed anew while the rear portion should be subjected to load test.

It further recommended that contractor(s) who constructed the mini stadium be blacklisted.

On the other hand, the mini-stadium for Senapati district was constructed at Karong whereas its foundation stone was laid by the Chief Minister himself at Mayangkhang.

The Chief Minister is said to be very unhappy on shifting the mini-stadium from Mayangkhang to Karong without his knowledge.

Meanwhile it is reported that gallery of the mini-stadium built at Bidyanagar, Jiribam has developed cracks.

The mini-stadium was built at the site earlier used by Horticulture Department as progeny orchard cum nursery.

Wooden planks laid in the indoor stadium have become moth-eaten.

The orchard which used to produce Litchi, Dalchini, Chestnut and Tezpata is 21 hectares in area.

But after it was handed over to YAS Department, encroachers have built 30 houses inside the said area.

To make space for the mini-stadium, 800 numbers of fully grown chestnut trees, 50 numbers of Tezpata trees, 28 numbers of Dalchini plants and 220 numbers of Litchi plants were cut down.