City R-Block sports facility falls into disuse just 18 months after inauguration
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Patna: The state-of-the-art sports facility constructed beneath a flyover in the city's R-Block area has fallen into disrepair just 18 months after its inauguration. The facility, developed at a cost of Rs 22 lakh through a bank's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding, was designed to provide recreational space for local residents and promote physical fitness.
The project, inaugurated by then deputy CM
Tejashwi Prasad Yadav
in Oct 2023, initially garnered attention when he played cricket at the venue. However, since then, the facility remains largely unused and locked, with minimal public access.
The 5,000 square feet space features a 2,000 square feet badminton court and a 3,000 square feet cricket ground, complete with iron fencing, benches and decorative lighting. The initiative was inspired by similar successful projects in Navi Mumbai and Ghaziabad.
The court was developed by the Patna Municipal Corporation (PMC).
Tejashwi came here, played cricket, and hit fours and sixes, but after his visit, people were never seen playing here. It always remains locked. Initially, its condition was fine, but now there is no one to maintain it. The PMC organised a match here, but it was only for the staff and officials.
Patna municipal commissioner, Animesh Kumar Parashar, acknowledged the maintenance issue, stating, "The facility has suffered due to lack of regular activities.
We are planning to revitalise the space with weekly matches every Saturday."
He also announced plans to upgrade the facility, including replacing the damaged selfie point with a new stone structure using materials brought from Rajasthan, and later developing an open gym here.
The PMC has also developed the area under the flyover from R-Block roundabout to Patna Junction, where earlier the traffic used to move at a snail's pace.
There was no parking space for the vehicles as the space under the flyover was occupied by local vendors and makeshift stalls. So the PMC decided to take it in its possession.
The project was part of a larger initiative to utilise spaces under flyovers effectively. Similar sports facilities were proposed for locations near Gaighat Judicial Academy, Rajendra Nagar bridge and Raja Bazar flyover, though these plans are yet to materialise.
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