Sports minister Jitendra Singh on Monday announced the decision to upgrade the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu and Bakshi Stadium in Srinagar, the two major stadiums in the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister made the announcement while speaking after a meeting of the sports ministry to discuss some of the pending issues related to Jammu and Kashmir.
"Rs.42 crore has been allocated for upgrading Jammu's Maulana Azad Stadium and execution of work has been entrusted to NBCC which will further engage different agencies. The ministry will try to follow up and ensure that the work should start some time after the culmination of the upcoming monsoon season, possibly before the year end," Jitendra Singh said.
"The upgradation of the Maulana Azad Stadium will include a modern synthetic athletic track, synthetic hockey track, swimming pool, upgraded facility of toilets, galleries and change rooms as well as provision for latest sports equipment. In addition to stadiums in Jammu and Srinagar, the existing stadiums in Poonch and Rajouri will also be upgraded at the cost of Rs.4 crore," the minister added.
"Soon, in addition to Jammu and Srinagar, there is plan to build 12 new indoor game halls at other different locations of the State. An execution plan is also being worked out for promotion of water sports at Mansar in Jammu and Pahalgam in Kashmir."
Union Sports Secretary Rajeev Yadav and other senior officers were present at the meeting.
--IANS
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