Annandale ground to remain in army's possession: Virbhadra

The Annandale ground here will remain under the possession of the army as national security cannot be ignored for "games and gimmicks" Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said today.

"Annandale is the only place which is open and suitable for strategic purposes and for conducting disaster relief and management exercises," he said at the Civil Military Liaison Conference held at the Army's Western Command headquarters, Chandimandir.

According to an official release here, the Chief Minister said national security cannot be ignored for "game and gimmicks" as a cricket stadium there will destroy the greenery and make it a concrete jungle.
 

Besides, the ground was handed over to the Army after World War-II from strategic point of view and is the only place where in times of emergency helicopters can land. It will remain with the army for operational purposes, Singh said.

"We are committed to the country's security and I fully realise the importance of the ground from defence point of view, for which it was handed over to the Army," he remarked.

"Many futile attempts were made to take over the ground in the past, but I want to make it a point that though governments keep changing, the possession should always be with the army for proper management and to ensure that no tall concrete structures come up in the vicinity of the ground," he said.

It may be recalled that, then Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association chief, Anurag Thakur, who is now BCCI president, had launched a massive campaign during the BJP government led by Prem Kumar Dhumal to take over the ground and develop it into a cricket stadium, but failed.

The Chief Minister said his government will support the efforts of army authorities in getting no objection certificates from various department for establishing military stations on land adjoining Una and Bilaspur districts.

1053.46 acres has been identified in Una district besides a few acres in Bilaspur for the purpose, he said.

Singh also agreed to provide land adjoining Indo-Tibet National Highway in Kinnaur district for Ammunition Point. The army had said it requires the land to relocate the ammunition depot from Powari as Karcham hydroelectric project is coming up in the army's Area of responsibility.