Ludhiana: Once role model in country, sports parks of Mullanpur-Dakha biting dust now

LUDHIANA: Once floated as the model project of Mullanpur-Dakha constituency in India and abroad, the majority of the 70 hitech sports parks built in 118 villages are biting the dust after falling prey to politics. The sports parks project which was initiated by Manpreet Ayali.

Some of the parks which wore a swanky look two years back now have turned into jungles and locals blame HS Phoolka (who was elected as MLA from here in 2017 elections but resigned as MLA in December) and state government for the present situation.

TOI team visited one such sports park along with prominent businessman and president of Shopkeepers Welfare Association, Mullanpur, Sarvarinder Singh Cheema who expresses disappointment over the present status of the project. Speaking to TOI he said, “These sports parks were the highlight of our constituency and this project even earned Mullanpur-Dakhapraise from several quarters."

Moreover, these parks also helped in keeping youth engaged in sports and making them healthy and also were of great benefit for the senior citizens. But shortly after Phoolka was elected as MLA he got snapped the power connections of all these sports parks due to which a large number of these reached the present state of neglect. Though residents of the constituency till date are managing majority of the parks with their own resources and even former MLA Manpreet Ayali too is contributing funds from his personal sources.

According to Jagroop Singh member shopkeepers welfare association, Mullanpur, “Not even a single piece of brick was laid down for any developmental project under MLA Phoolka’s tenure. Not only these sports parks but even roads, hospital, bus stand no upgradation has ever taken place in the last two years. After resigning from the constituency Phoolka has now formed another front. It was never expected from a person of such a stature that he will ditch poor people and waste public money by getting elected as MLA and then resigning”

According to Kanwardeep Singh another local businessman from Mullanpur, “These sports parks and people of this constituency have become victims of politics. Regardless of the fact that they were built under Akali Dal’s regime the state government and MLA HS Phoolka should have at least shown some sensibility and taken care of these parks which in today’s time are an asset for the people”

Meanwhile speaking to TOI over the entire issue, former MLA Manpreet Ayali who is the brainchild behind this entire sports parks project said, “It is really sad that a project of public welfare and utmost benefit to local residents of all ages was neglected by Phoolka and state government as well, that too just for sake of petty politics. However, we already are maintaining a large number of these parks with the help of committees formed at village levels and contributing funds from own sources for the upkeep of these sports parks. With already several parks being maintained we are going to take over the remaining ones as well”