Mangaluru: If the grass is greener on the other side of the fence, it will look great and gives beauty to a place. But if the grass is allowed to grow wild, it looks ugly and ruins the beauty of the place- and this exactly what has happened inside the Mangala stadium ground and the newly constructed Practicing/Warm-Up ground adjacent to the stadium. Mangala Stadium which got a facelift last year during the 19th Federation Cup National Senior Athletics Championships 2015 which was held from 30th April till 4th May 2015. Seven months later due to poor maintenance, the stadium ground is in pathetic condition. The neglected Mangala stadium shows how a great initiative can be killed.
Warm-up ground for athletes near the stadium was made with a estimated cost of Rs 20 lakh with the expenses fully borne by Mangaluru City Corporation. A new compound wall was also built around this practicing ground. A new synthetic track was installed inside the stadium. The four-day event expenses were around Rs 1.50 crore, of which the state government pitched in Rs 1 crore. The remaining amount was generated through donations from public sector undertakings, major private industrial units, public sector banks, deemed universities, builders, other private companies and so on. MCC contributed Rs 20 lakh, which was tax-payers money. With all that money spent, the Mangala Stadium did get an extreme-makeover, including the ground/tracks etc during the National sports meet- but seven months later, it wears a dirty look with wild grass grown on other side of the fence/ inner surroundings of the stadium.
The practicing/warm-up ground constructed at a cost of Rs 20 lakhs is already in a bad shape. There are rocks, mud piled up, ground is dug up here and there, garbage scattered, grass grown on the field etc etc. Many a times this practicing ground is damaged when exhibitions etc are set up next to the ground. Due to negligence of the concerned persons, once the proud host of the 19th Federation Cup National Senior Athletic Championships 2015 is in shambles again- the facility is in a pathetic condition.
Even the outside surroundings of the stadium seating area has been covered with wild grass/plants-chances are that wild reptiles may find their homes in these wild bushes. Indeed a safety hazard for sports spectators. Wild grass is also grown inside the stadium, due to non-maintenance. You could also see water ponds here and there due to recent rains. The stadium which once looked nice is in horrible condition. Most of the stadium needs quick maintenance, before it gets worse. The stadium at present lays neglected. Quick action by the concerned authorities who are in-charge of the Stadium will only save this place from getting more worse- and dying!
This is our SMART-CITY . Lol
By Indian standards, the stadium is decent enough. The track inside the stadium is open only for athletes and they have enough space inside for warm up or ground exercise. Last year I was there running one morning (when it was open for the general public) and saw a familiar looking woman running wearing a track suit. To my surprise, it was PT Usha who trains a couple of athletes from Mangalore. Asian Games medalist and Kodagu-Mlore girl MR Poovamma to practices here. After a few athletes complained of hindrance during practice by general public, the stadium is now open… Read more »