NIT to develop 146 playgrounds in 6 months

NAGPUR: The Nagpur Improvement Trust (NIT) is all set to develop 146 playgrounds across the city at a cost of Rs 50 crore within six months.
NIT superintending engineer Sunil Gujjelwar told TOI the project will be executed in 67 packages. “We have clubbed works of three to four playgrounds in one package. Tendering process for all packages has started. Work order for a few packages will be issued soon after approval from NIT board of trustees. Deadline for the private agencies to complete the works of each package will be six months,” he said.
NIT did not receive bids for six packages, so tenders have been floated again. The project is a consequence of the Khasdar Krida Mahotsav organized by city MP and union minister Nitin Gadkari twice in the last year in the city.
Sandip Joshi, coordinator of Khasdar Krida Mahotsav, and ruling party leader in Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), said the project will help in producing more sportsperson, create facility for existing sportsperson in their vicinity, and encourage physical fitness among residents.
“Gadkari and chief minister Devendra Fadnavis are ensuring overall development of the city. There was a need to develop playgrounds in all parts of the city. Sportsperson, sports associations and sports journalists had asked Gadkari to develop playgrounds in all residential localities during Khasdar Krida Mahotsav. Therefore, Gadkari proposed the project and Fadnavis sanctioned funds,” he said.
Joshi added overall development of playgrounds will be done under the project. “Compound walls will be constructed for conservation of playgrounds. Redevelopment of surface layer of playgrounds will be done. Amenities like high-mast lights, public toilets, changing rooms etc will be constructed. Some existing playgrounds like basketball and volleyball courts will be redeveloped as per the requirement of the respective sports,” he said.
This is the first time playgrounds will be developed in such large numbers at a time. Till now, NMC and NIT used to create playgrounds while developing layouts or as per requirements.
The decision on who will operate and maintain the playgrounds is awaited. It is likely NIT will transfer the playgrounds to NMC after completion of works. The civic body had permitted some sporting clubs to operate and maintain a few playgrounds. On the same lines, the NMC may lease out the newly developed playgrounds. NMC has started the process to prepare and implement a comprehensive sports policy. The provision to lease out playgrounds and indoor stadiums to associations is likely to be made part of the policy.