After being neglected for years, the Sports Complex facing the Punjab Cricket Association Cricket Stadium in Mohali is in view of getting total revamp. In order to give a major boost to sports in Punjab the state government has finalised a public-private-partnership (PPP) model with estimated investment of Rs 100 crore for developing modern and model infrastructure spread over 20 acres of land in Sector 63 in Mohali.

The development assumes significance as the site for complex has been lying undeveloped and abandoned for the past decade. The issue of boundary walls and entry gates with certain irregularities and lapses had come to the light, for which recently two officials of Punjab Urban Planning and Development Authority (PUDA) were indicted.

According to Pargat Singh, Punjab Director Sports, the idea behind revamping the Sports Complex on modern lines is to provide basic facilities to the Punjab sportspersons and also to hold both national and international tournaments. The proposed complex will come up on 20.11 acres of land. It may be recalled that the Sports Department of Punjab had taken possession of this piece of land in 1991 and could just construct nothing more than the boundary walls and gates as the work was stopped owing to lack of funds.

"Now the government is determined to raise funds to the tune of Rs 100 crore through PPP model for creating not only a showpiece but also a venue where sportspersons can hone their skills and organisers hold meets and tournaments," revealed the former Indian hockey captain, Pargat Singh. Adding further he said that after being finalised by the Sports Department, the proposed model has been sent to Punjab Infrastructure Development Board (PIDB), which being the executing agency, will soon invite bids from eligible private parties for awarding the work.

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