Build multi-purpose stadium in Vellore, sports enthusiasts urge officials

This follows the Madras High Court clearing the way for authorities to develop a land parcel by rejecting a petition filed by the VIT university, which claimed ownership of the land.

The court’s verdict on February 5 went against the university, which had contested that the 41.92-acre land spread belonged to it as the property was adjacent to the 95 acres provided by the state government to the academic institution several years ago.

According to P Sudhakar, coordinator of the agitation, authorities concerned must use that land to construct a multi-purpose stadium.

“Efforts are under way to survey the land after which a multi-purpose stadium can be built on it. The land comes under the control of the Sports Development Authority of India (SDAT).”

It may be recalled that the government had recently sanctioned Rs 17.34 crore to construct sports facilities in Oosur, nearly 13 km from the city.

Asked about this, Sudhakar said: “The GO was issued only for the proposed sports facility. It does not specifically state where the facility should be built. Furthermore, the land there is enough only for an indoor stadium and not a multi-purpose facility which needs more space.”

Lamenting the lack of infrastructure in Vellore, sports enthusiasts said the residential facility for weight lifting in Sathuvachari is the only silver lining.

“As many as 30 districts in the State, including Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Kanchipuram and Tiruvallur, have multi-purpose stadiums but not Vellore,” rued Sudhakar.

“If the stadium comes up on the SDAT land, sports persons need not have to spend money to reach the proposed facility in Oosur,” he added.

Authorities have also been urged to open a children’s swimming pool, which lies unutilized since 2015-16 when it was constructed at a cost of Rs 60 lakh. A gym within the collectorate also remains under the lock for several years despite subordinate officials expressing interest to make use of it.