Dharwad
The jinxed under construction multipurpose stadium on Karnatak University (KU) campus had been an eyesore and a place for all sorts of illegal activities. Labour Minister Santosh Lad, who is also in charge of district, has evinced interest in rejuvenating the stadium and it should be seen whether he succeeds in getting necessary funds from business houses under Corporate Social Responsibility to get the works completed.
Lad, who visited the site, expressed shock to see the pathetic condition of the half-built stadium and the surroundings.
Thick bushes, empty liquor bottles, gutkha packets and other things welcomed the visitors.
The plan for construction of a multipurpose stadium was the brain child of K Rame Gowda, the then KU Vice-Dhancellor in 1996. The plan envisaged a stadium identical to the Michigan Stadium in USA, below ground level and above natural spring. The land for the stadium was identified on the western side of the varsity campus near the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication and New Boys’ Hostel. The work was assigned to a Belagavi-based agency. By 1998, first part of earthwork was completed at a cost of Rs 1.5 crore. Works on stadium tiers, track, ring road and drains were partially completed. By January 2000, the total expenditure had reached Rs 2.1 crore.
For some reasons, KU stopped the work in 2000. When the claims submitted by the agency were not met by the University, the agency in 2004 filed a suit in the court for a claim of Rs 2.3 Crore with interest at the rate of 15 percent. In June 2019, the Court decreed that the university should pay the agency Rs 2.3 crore with 15 percent interest. This order was challenged by University at the High Court. The High Court on February 25, 2020 stayed the trial court’s order on the condition that KU should deposit 50% of the amount decreed. The varsity has complied with the HC order and the case is still pending in the court.
It is said that the expenditure incurred between 1996 and 2000 at the current value is Rs 3,500 lakh. This includes Rs 500 lakh for first phase of earthwork, Rs 1,000 lakh for finishing of tiers, ring road and playing field, Rs 1,500 lakh for multipurpose hall to house badminton, volleyball courts and Rs 500 lakh for construction of entry road etc.
The sports lovers are pinning hopes on Minister Lad to use his good offices and contacts with corporate world to mobilise funds and get the stadium ready.
