Bicholim Association of Football Fans ( BAFF) has expressed its displeasure over the delay and the manner in which the renovation work of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan at Bicholim has been undertaken.
The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan at Bicholim, located at the centre of the town, is being renovated at an estimated cost of Rs 1.83 crore. Besides football tournaments, the ground is also used for public meetings and other gatherings and its renovation was a pending, which has now been taken up. But BAFF is not happy with the way the renovation is being carried out. “ We were called for the meetings when the plan was drafted and our views were also taken but what we suggested and what has been implemented is totally different,” BAFF president Rajanikant Lawanis claimed. “ They have enclosed the ground with huge grills, which resembles a jail. We feel that it is waste of money and the pavilion, which has been constructed, looks like a godown,” Lawanis added. Pointing out the technical flaws in the design, vice president Naresh Kadkade said, “ They have constructed the pavilion behind the goalpost, which is wrong. Footballers could be injured if they get hit on the walls constructed behind the goalpost.” Kadkade further complained that the project has been delayed. When contacted, Bicholim MLA Naresh Sawal said, “ The delay in the project is justifiable and it will take some time for the ground to be thrown open for the public. If the work is to be good it will take sometime as now grass is being laid, which has several layers”. “ We have also suggested that besides football, the ground should also be made available for other sports such as kabbadi and cricket,” he added When contacted, the BMC chairman Satish Gaonkar said the ground would be ready by December. samir umarye bicholim We were called for the meetings when the plan was drafted and our views were also taken but what we suggested and what has been implemented is totally different — Rajanikant Lawanis, BAFF president The delay in the project is justifiable and it will take some time for the ground to be thrown open for the public. If the work is to be good it will take sometime as now grass is being laid, which has several layers. We have also suggested that besides football, the ground should also be made available for other sports such as kabbadi and cricket — Naresh Sawal, Bicholim MLA Bicholim association claims that what it suggested has not been implemented• The ground has been enclosed with huge grills, which resembles a jail. • There are technical flaws in the design• The pavilion, which is constructed behind the goalpost, is wrong and looks like a godown• The project has been delayed BAFF CLAIMS
