A stadium was already sanctioned by the government for the taluk, but the work has been stopped halfway.
Since the construction work has been stopped, the ground is being utilised as a helepad whenever VIPs arrive in Belthangady. No sports events take place in the stadium as the work was not completed. However, organisations use the place for public meetings and other programmes.
The government had given in-principle approval to sanction Rs 44.82 lakh on October 16, 2007 and the amount was released too.
Out of Rs 44.82 lakh, Rs 24.10 lakh was reserved for pavilion, Rs 1.5 lakh to develop 400 metre track, Rs 8.11 lakh for the construction of wall, Rs 2.86 lakh for drainage, Rs 7.75 lakh for ground levelling and Rs 50,000 was for fencing. In addition, Rs 11.85 was released through 12th Finance Commission.
There is a Stadium Development Committee under the Chairmanship of Assistant Commissioner of Puttur. MLA K Vasantha Bangera, Tahsildar, Taluk Panchayat President, Town Panchayat President, Block Education Officer and PWD Assistant Engineer are the members of the Committee. It is an apathy that the post of Assistant Youth Welfare Officer is remaining vacant for the past eight years. Currently, Physical Education Inspector K B Keshava from the Education department is holding the additional charge of Assistant Youth Welfare Officer. However, the department does not provide any sort of allowance for him.
Encroachment
The proposal of developing 400 metre track was modified, since the land reserved for the stadium has been encroached on all sides. Following this, a 200 metre track was developed in the stadium site.
Works including construction of compound wall, drainage and gallery yet to be taken up. Currently, the stadium is in such a pathetic state that it is fully covered with weeds.
At the same time, water gushes into the stadium as there is no drainage. None of the sports or games events can be conducted in the stadium, says National-level athlete Shibi Dharmastala.