YUPIA, Arunachal’s largest multi-purpose sports stadium with a seating capacity of 15000 people here under Papum Pare district is finally on the verge of completion. This project was sanctioned in 2014, work started in 2015 was supposed to be completed in 2018. But due to various reasons including the Covid pandemic, ;land development issue the work has been delayed. The majority of work is completed and only construction of the parking lot is remaining. The total cost of the project is Rs 59. 48 crore.
The urban development (UD) department which is the construction agency of the stadium is now waiting for the government to sanction the revised estimate submitted for completion of work. “Apart from the parking lot, some more corrections have to be made before handing over the stadium to the sports department. We have submitted a revised estimate and the state government is seriously considering our proposal,” said Gyamar Tachug, Executive Engineer,UD department. He further informed that once work is completed, a team of officials from the Chief Engineer’s office will make a final inspection. “Only if the CE office is satisfied, the stadium will be handed over to the sports department,” said Tachung.
The stadium will have a 15000 capacity and facilities include a media room, 16 rooms dormitory, gymkhana, etc. “It will be an international standard stadium. 800 M track and field, football ground, javelin, etc also includes. Except for cricket all other sporting events can be conducted in it,” added Tachung.
Chief Engineer UD Taring Darang said if the government sanctions revised estimates the stadium can be completed within 4 to 5 months. “Only the parking issue remains to be resolved at Yupia stadium. The state government is very cooperative and we are quite hopeful that revised estimates will be sanctioned soon so that work is completed at the earliest,” said CE Darang. He also shared that Rajiv Gandhi stadium, Naharlagun is also being constructed by the UD department and work is about to be completed.
The Director Sports Tadar Appa said the department is waiting for the completion of Yupia stadium. “This is the largest stadium of the state and will be a big asset for the sports department,” he said. Regarding the delay in completion of Aalo, Tezu, and Chimpu stadiums, the director said the state government is very worried about the slow progress due to Covid 19 pandemic and other issue and is making efforts to speed up the work and it is expected that fund for completion of Aalo, Tezu and Chimpu is received and hope within two years all three stadium would be completed. He said.
The stadium at Pasighat is also completed and hopes that the department can take over it soon after carrying out all formalities. He said.
The stadium at Ziro with 4500 sitting capacity and Daporijo with 2000 seating capacity constructed by UD has been handed over to the department while small stadium at Tawang, Jairmpur, Changlang, Yachuli, Yazali, Sagalee are either completed and at the verge of completion. The indoor hall at Tribin has been handed over to Leparada district administration. He said.
Since a centre of excellence at Chimpu was given, another 52 small Khelo India sports centres would be done soon after approval. He said.
