TRC ground submerged in water

Abid Khan 

Srinagar, Apr 2: With slight rainfall, Tourist Reception Center (TRC) ground gets submerged into water and gives look of a swimming pool instead of playing field.
Due to rain on Thursday night, almost whole TRC ground got submerged. The water has severely affected the football and cricket playing area as that portion is on lower side. Rainwater from the Zero Bridge side, which is slightly higher in level, has got accumulated on the center of the field.
Various sports bodies and persons have criticized the State Sports Council (SSC) for the condition of the ground.
J&K Football Association accused SSC of turning field into a ‘swimming pool.’ “Last year SSC allowed dumping of sand extracted from the Jehlum in the ground. Though the condition of the ground was always miserable, dumping made it worse. The material was dumped on Zero-Bridge side, which became higher in level than the main central field. With slight rain the central field gets submerged as water from higher level gets accumulated there,” a senior JKFA official said.
He said that, SSC doesn’t spend any money for maintenance of the ground.
Due to broken gate, people park vehicles in the field. Activists of different political parties also find it easy place to park vehicles.
Sports Fraternity of Dalgate (SFD) accused SSC of playing with careers of future generation.
SFD, vice-president, said, “It seems that SSC has agenda to destroy the sports fields of the Valley. Instead of maintenance, SSC makes things worse by allowing dumping, exhibitions and parking of vehicles in the fields.”
He requested chief minister, Omar Abdullah to personally look into the plight of sports fields of the Valley.
When contacted Sports officer, Kashmir blamed choked and damaged UEED drain that runs through the ground for the water blockade in the ground.
“The drain is totally choked and damaged. We requested UEED authorities several times, but they did nothing to repair it,” he said.
“The ground is well leveled and it is only water from drain that gets accumulated in center. Within next few days we will start final leveling work and after that rainwater will not accumulate anywhere. But drain water can,” he added.
He assured that gate would be also repaired in next few days.

Published in greater kashmir on April 2-2009: http://www.greaterkashmir.com/full_story.asp?Date=3_4_2009&ItemID=4&cat=4