The Odisha unit of BJP on Wednesday lambasted the BJD-led State government over the approval of 89 multi-purpose indoor stadiums project yesterday stating that it was a political stunt aimed at garnering votes ahead of the local body polls.
Addressing a presser, BJP State secretary Tankadhar Tripathy asked the Odisha Government to reveal details regarding the construction of the stadiums and the expenditure to be polled by the various departments towards the same.
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“The State government said that the 89 multi-purpose indoor stadiums project which will be constructed in different urban areas of the State will be utilised as community shelters during disasters while those will be converted as field hospitals in times of pandemic. Moreover, social events will also be organised in the stadiums. Therefore, will the State Government reveal the expenditure to be footed by the Centre, the State and each department towards the construction of the stadiums,” asked Tripathy.
“The State government must have prepared a list of the stadiums to be built under different municipal corporations, municipalities and NACs (notified area councils). Will the government reveal the names of the districts, municipalities and NACs where these stadiums will come up,” he asked further.
The State BJP Secretary also demanded that the State Government must name those stadiums after renowned sports personalities of the respective areas or leaders who have contributed towards development of sports in the State.
It may be noted that the Odisha cabinet on Monday approved the State Sports Infrastructure Development Project worth Rs 693.35 Crore under which a total of 89 multipurpose indoor stadiums will be built. The project will be completed in a decided time frame of 18 months.
The stadiums will be used for multiple sports including badminton, table tennis, weight lifting and other activities like yoga and exercise sessions. It will also be used for local sports popular in their respective areas.
Apart from this, the stadiums will be designed to withstand a wind speed of up to 200 kmph. In the event of natural calamities like flood, cyclone, the stadiums will be used as cyclone shelter points. During the pandemic, the stadiums under Notified Area Councils (NAC) will be turned into 50-bed hospitals and the ones under Municipal areas will turn into 100-bed hospitals.
Similarly, the proposed stadiums will also be used for training purposes, meetings and conduct of various examinations.