Tenders for RTMNU’s synthetic track to be floated for third time
   Date :11-Sep-2020

ground_1  H x W
 Athletes’ wait for RTMNU’s synthetic track got longer. (Pics: Umesh Varma/Moonlight)
 
 
By Paritosh Pramanik :
 
University has already deposited over Rs 10 crore with PWD 
 
ATHLETES in the city will have to wait for another couple of years to get synthetic track at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s (RTMNU) ground off Ravi Nagar due to the lackadaisical approach of Public Works Department (PWD). It is for the third time in around two years that tenders will be floated again by the PWD. On the first attempt nobody showed interest.
 

basketball_1  H Spectators’ gallery, changing rooms, toilet and store room apart from flood lights at the basketball court at university complex have also being proposed.
 
 
 
Then on the second call, five bidders approached and there was a technical bid. But, according to sources, University was not satisfied with the bidders’ work plan and they were not ready to work as per the proposed plan from university hence that was also cancelled. Now, tender will be floated for the third time. RTMNU has already transferred over Rs 10 crore to PWD over a year ago but till date nothing has moved in right direction. The lackadaisical approach of PWD has forced one of the RTMNU Management Council members to raise the issue and ask Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhary to start the construction work on their own.
 
It has been learnt that PWD is floating a tender for appointing consultancy service for the construction of synthetic track, which has been opposed by all. Vishnu Changde, Senate and Management Council member openly opposed PWD’s idea of appointing a consultancy service claiming that it will be waste of funds. “University has already deposited Rs 10,60,00,000 with PWD for construction of synthetic track. RTMNU has its own experienced technical committee.
 
Appointing a consultancy service by PWD will only increase the budget as they will have to be paid around Rs 15 to 18 lakh. Instead, that amount can be used on other developmental works,” Changde informed Vice-Chancellor during the meeting. Changde asserted that university should take up the construction work or else the track and other infrastructure development works won’t be completed in near future. “I also propose to increase the budget in this academic session,” said Changde. Changde also demanded construction of spectators’ gallery, changing rooms, toilet and store room apart from floodlights at the basketball court which is located near the entrance gate of the sports complex. “This construction work can be done through State Government’s Sports Ground Development Scheme through NIT. RTMNU should immediately give NOC for the work so that infrastructure can be developed at the earliest,” stated Changde.
 
Changde informed the members that he had raised the issue of construction of indoor stadium in earlier meetings as well. “It was then decided that work should be done by the university itself and not through PWD. We can take special orders from the Chancellor of the State. The issue was discussed in the last Management Council meeting too and a committee was also formed. It was decided to follow up the issue and prepare a budget but these points are missing from the minutes,” claimed Changde.
 
“The university had received Rs 1 crore and 80 thousand from Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports which was immediately transferred to PWD. But it seems PWD is not serious and is delaying the work,” alleged Changde. When contacted, Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Physical Education and Sports Department, RTMNU said they have the best technical experts to look after construction of synthetic track. “We have a very experienced technical officer in Baptist D’Souza from Pune. He has closely worked with laying of more than 90 per cent of synthetic tracks that are laid by the Athletics Federation of India. He has supervised all the works including the one at Balewadi in Pune. With D’Souza around we are sure that technically there won’t be any glitch. We want proper utilisation of funds. We can use unused funds on other works like compounding the track with chain fence. We are also planning to lay artificial turf on football ground and even put up floodlights,” said Dr Suryawanshi.