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| In 2019 on J&K Govt's recommendation NPCC asked MYAS for additional funds for M A Stadium's up-gradation | | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Mar 18: Although the lone sports hub of activities, Maulana Azad Stadium has been developed as one of the assets of international level particularly for cricket but the cost expenditure spent on its up-gradation and renovation swelled than the total projected cost of Rs 42.17 crores after some changes were recommended by the Jammu and Kashmir Government in the year 2019.
Reliable sources here said that the executing agency National Projects Construction Corporation (NPCC) Limited, in December, 2019, submitted to the Ministry of Youth Services and Sports (MYAS) additional estimated cost of Rs 6.20 crores against the changes recommended by the Jammu and Kashmir Government. Former Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on January 15, 2020, officially inaugurated the "renovated" Maulana Azad cricket stadium.
The letter accessed by UNI, has been addressed to the Joint Secretary (Development), Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, on December 17, 2019, under subject, "Renovating, Up-gradation and Development of Sports facilities as M A Stadium at Jammu (J&K) (Approval and Release of additional funds to M/s NPCC for additional works executed at M A Stadium Jammu).
However, according to the references mentioned in the letter including agreement number: NIL dated 14-10-2016, Letter number: 440601/MAS-Jammu/604 dated 28-02-2019 and Sports Council letter number: SC/3508/022 dated 02-04-2019, it is submitted that after the initial sanction, the work was awarded to the construction agency on EPC (Engineering, Procurement and Construction) mode after following the due processes.
The letter further read that however during the course of execution, certain changes were made on the recommendations of the (erstwhile) State Government/J&K Sports Council with the consent of the then Advisor.
"The mandated an increase in the overall area and some demolition and reconstruction. After due approvals from the (erstwhile) state government, the additional works have been executed," the letter read adding, "Now, since the project is near completion, these additional funds amounting to Rs 6.20 Crore are urgently required to enable us to get executed balance works."
"This matter has also been brought in the kind notice of Joint secretary/Under Secretary of MYAS during their visit to site on 24.10.2019 and the details of the extra works and amounts payable are attached," it read.
The letter further requested that the additional funds may be processed and arranged immediately so that the works can be completed and handed over at the earliest and assuring for best attention and services at all times.
Meanwhile one of the NPCC officials when contacted here told UNI, "the total cost expenditure of the project (renovation, up-gradation) was Rs 42.17 crores but Jammu and Kashmir Government recommended for some extra changes."
"Accordingly, we wrote to the MYAS and in return, we were asked to get the recommendations from the J&K government authorities for approval," NPCC official said adding that after submitting the same recommendations, the Ministry dropped some of it and approved only the essential works required.
Several correspondences were made with the Ministry as NPCC had to complete the project in stipulated time, he expressed.
"Revised drawings were prepared and submitted to the MYAS," he revealed and added that the Sports Ministry approved additional Rs 4.50 crores (with central taxes amount was Rs 4.74 crores) to carry the changes approved by it.
"So far the NPCC have been sanctioned Rs 43.80 crores against the total expenditure spent including the total amount (Rs 42.17 cr) and the additional funds (Rs 4.74 cr)," the official added and said that the facility will soon be handed over to the Jammu and Kashmir Government.
Pertinent to mention here that the sports persons particularly the cricketers has also expressed concern over holding the annual Republic Day celebration function at Maulana Azad stadium.
"If crores have been spent, the facility should exclusively be used for sports activities rather than for holding Republic Day functions every year to protect it from getting damaged," a player expressed.
The Maulana Azad Stadium has been renovated under the Prime Minister's Development Package (PMDP).
Boost to sports is one of the priorities of the Government in the Centre.
The Government of India has earmarked Rs 200 cr for sports infrastructure and developing sports facilities all over the Union Territory.
Apart from cricket, other sports like football, Hockey, Volleyball, and Athletics etc will be given attention and various projects are going on to develop facilities for the sports. |
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