The Hindu 19.09.2014
Indoor stadium an extension of VMC?
Rooms meant for players occupied by civic staff, used as storerooms
The DRRMC indoor stadium is gradually becoming an extension of Vijayawada Municipal Corporation.— Photo: Ch. Vijaya Bhaskar
Is Dandamudi Rajagopala Rao Municipal Corporation indoor
stadium meant to promote sports or it is an annexe of Vijayawada
Municipal Corporation? Though, on paper, it is meant to nurture sports
the ground reality is something else.
The indoor
stadium, with a history of more than 30 years, is gradually becoming an
extension counter of VMC. Thanks to the previous Congress regime and the
present TDP rule, departments such as sanitation, electrical and fire
are functioning from the stadium much to the anguish of sports lovers.
The
rooms meant for players are occupied by the civic staff and are used as
storerooms. “It is unfortunate the stadium which hosted best of events
in the past is gradually losing its sheen,” bemoaned a coach. The space
beneath the gallery has been taken over by the sanitation department and
the washroom meant for the public use is transformed into a storeroom
to stock up bleaching powder and other things. The garbage push-carts
and vehicles moving around the premises not only produce unbearable
stench but also create parking problems.
“When an
association conducts a mega event, it is put to hardships as the rooms
are occupied by departments. With Vijayawada becoming the capital city
of Andhra Pradesh, the VMC should make efforts to refurbish the indoor
stadium exclusively for the sports,” felt senior badminton administrator
K.Ch. Punnaiah Chowdary.
Andhra Pradesh Table Tennis
Association secretary S.M. Sultan said the corporation should
immediately replace all the asbestos on the roof to stop the leakages.
“A stitch in time saves nine. The corporation should at once change the asbestos lest the wooden flooring will go for a toss”.
The
corporation is yet to over the open spaces with mesh to prevent pigeons
from entering and the badly-maintained bathrooms brings to fore the
repulsive image of the stadium.
The rooms meant for players are occupied by the civic staff and are used as storerooms
