Aalo: Controversy over the construction of the outdoor stadium in West Siang district continues. The Arunachal Pradesh govt sanctioned the stadium under the 2014-15 SPA (special plan assistance) at an estimated cost of Rs 35.28 crore, with work starting in June 2018 and a completion deadline of 36 months.
In 2022-23, the state govt provided additional funds, and construction picked up. However, for unknown reasons, the work slowed down again.
The people of West Siang, led by senior citizens like former ministers Doi Ado and Kento Ete, along with student leaders and others, have repeatedly demanded the immediate completion of the stadium project.
In June this year, the West Siang District Olympic Association (WSDOA) staged a peaceful dharna to express frustration over the delay, which has now extended beyond eight years. Meanwhile, other stadiums allocated at the same time, such as those in Pasighat (E/Siang), Ziro (L/Subansiri), Chimpu (P/Pare), and Yupia (P/Pare), are already operational.
On Nov 1, several organisations urged the construction firm to vacate the premises, and on Nov 6, they issued an ultimatum to vacate within 48 hours.
On Friday, hundreds of students from the WSDOA, the Galo Students' Union, the West Siang District Students' Union, and others conducted a social service at the general ground.
This social service followed the ultimatum given to the construction firm due to delays and insufficient progress.
The stadium project, overseen by a joint steering committee including representatives from West Siang district, has missed several deadlines, the latest being Oct 31 this year.
"From today, the general public of West Siang is taking over the Aalo general ground (outdoor stadium) from M/s TK Engineering Consortium Limited," said WSDOA president Nyatum Bagra.
"Our protest is against the construction agency, TK Engineering Consortium, which has failed to complete the project despite sufficient funds provided by the state government," he said.
"The delay in completing the stadium has negatively impacted sports enthusiasts in the district. Many youths have turned to drugs, and sports activities have been disrupted over the past eight years due to the unavailability of the ground," Bagra added.
West Siang district sports officer Tumto Loyi accused the construction firm of not cooperating by failing to engage enough labourers. He said the district administration, locals, and students are cooperating with the firm, "but for unknown reasons, the firm is not serious about completing the project".
Loyi reiterated that the project has missed several deadlines. Sports and youth affairs minister Kento Jini, who is also the local MLA, has set Dec 31 as the new deadline for the stadium's completion.
Loyi said the govt and the state's sports department are very concerned about the delay. He appealed to the students to "carry out the social service without damaging the construction materials on the site".
R Ngomdir, a supervisor for TK Engineering Consortium Limited, said no labourers are currently at the site but added that the firm is likely to engage labourers within a day or two. "If enough labourers are engaged, the project could be completed by Dec 31," he said.
Minister Jini said he recently discussed the matter with district authorities, the executing firm, and other stakeholders. He appealed to the students to allow construction to proceed, reiterating that the project will be completed by Dec 31. Jini said he would consider terminating the contract with the firm if it fails to meet the deadline. He also urged students not to damage construction materials.
Regarding the lack of laborers, Jini said, "Who would stay at the site when you are asked to vacate the site?"