Wait for Chikalwadi Stadium is over in Pune

After almost four years of constructing Chikalwadi Hockey Stadium, the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) has finally allocated Rs2.4 crore for the stadium.

According to PMC’s executive engineer Sandeep Khandve, who is incharge of the stadium work, the fund for the grounds has been sanctioned in the recently held PMC budget meeting.

“There has been some 10% cutting in the amount we had proposed. We had approached a Mumbai firm and a tentative budget for overall work was Rs3.25 crore. However, we can manage with the amount as we have received Rs50 lakh already,” he said.

The renovation work has been started and as per the officials the basic ground will be available for players in two months.
“The process for tender will begin soon and we can give the work order depending on the quotations. However, we have to import the synthetic turf and a foreign company will be involved in the matter. This is a bit lengthy process but if all goes well then we can expect the ground fully ready at the end of this financial year,” said Khandve.

Maharashtra Hockey Association (MHA) secretary Ikram Khan expressed happiness over the decision and assured help to the civic body.

“Finally after four years, the PMC has taken a right decision. If I am not wrong, then Pune city will be getting its first synthetic turf stadium. The Khadki area has proved to be a nursery for hockey but without a playground. In India, Bhopal is another nursery, but their government has provided all the facilities to the players. Even without any facilities we have produced a number of players, and we can do wonders when we will get the fully-equipped stadium in the heart of the city,” he said.

“I also want to thank DNA for the constant follow-up in this issue and I feel their impact has made the things rolling,” he added.