Big fillip to sports facilities on AU campus on the cards
These facilities will get a much-needed boost at a cost of over Rs 11 crore. Tender already issued in this regard, say officials
PRAYAGRAJ: The Allahabad University (AU) campus is all set to become smarter in terms of in-house sporting facilities under the Smart City Project. The sports facilities on the campus are to get a much-needed fillip at a cost of over Rs 11 crore (over Rs 110 million), according to Prayagraj Smart City Ltd officials.
“As part of our efforts to provide top-class sporting facilities in Prayagraj smart city, we have decided to significantly upgrade the existing facilities for different sports like basketball, football, hockey, volley-ball and athletics among others on AU campus,” said divisional commissioner Sanjay Goyal, who is also the chairman of Prayagraj Smart City Board.
“We have invited tenders for undertaking the necessary infrastructural projects which would give a huge impetus to sporting facilities on AU campus and in the long run, help the university to produce world-class sportspersons who can earn laurels for the country,” he said.
As per the tender floated by Prayagraj Smart City Ltd, AU campus, especially its science faculty, would have facilities like synthetic tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, besides synthetic athletic tracks, enhanced pathways, solar lighting, and facility of proper drainage of rainwater from sporting courts among other facilities.
Apart from synthetic courts for various sports, Kota pathway, tennis grand canopy, volleyball grand canopy etc would also be provided as part of the initiative. Following the enhancement of sporting facilities, AU would be getting synthetic hockey turf and a synthetic court for football. There would be landscaping around the existing trees and seating area around the existing trees, paved area with suitable materials and classic style lamp posts to create harmony too, according to the tender.
The approaches to the sporting complex would be provided in four locations and there would also be a jogger track inside AU campus.
The existing football court of AU would be redeveloped and prepared as per norms of FIFA or Fédération Internationale de Football Association. Likewise, the existing hockey ground would also be renovated with national level facilities.
A synthetic astro turf (8-layers) with proper drainage, shock pad and sprinkler arrangements will be provided as specified by Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH).
An elevated press box for media persons has also been proposed for national level tournaments. Changing rooms, toilets and conference rooms along with the other facilities have also been planned for the hockey court.
Along with this, the existing steps will be renovated with necessary civil work and stone cladding, sensibly chosen to match with the existing heritage structures, for the upliftment of the overall appearance, informed officials.
Likewise, AU would also be getting world-class volleyball court with 8 layers synthetic acrylic surface as per sports authority’s requirement. A revamped basketball court, as per norms of FIBA is also on the cards. This will also be an 8-layer synthetic acrylic surface and a synthetic tennis court.
The existing masonry structure would be demolished and replaced with metal bleachers with wooden seating provisions.
“Under the Smart City project there is a proposal to bring up several facilities including an Astro turf hockey field, international level stadium and several other facilities,” said AU’s PRO Jaya Kapoor confirming the development.