GROUND breaking ceremony of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University’s (RTMNU) synthetic track that will come up on D Lakshminarayan Sports Premises will be held at 10.00 am on Sunday, informs Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Director, Department of Sports and Physical Education (RTMNU) though a press release. Cabinet Minister Nitin Gadkari would perform the ‘ bhoomipujan’ at the site that will replace the present cinder track. Guardian Minister Nitin Raut, Maharashtra Sports Minister Sunil Kedar will be chief guests on the occasion. City Mayor Dayashankar Tiwari will be the special guest at the function.

 

Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Pro-VC Dr Sanjay Dudhe and Registrar Dr Raju Hiwse will be prominently present. The work of making the track has been entrusted to the Public Works Department and RTMNU will spent Rs 10.60 lakh for the entire project. The contractor for the track is Sports Facilities Company Limited, Mumbai and the work is expected to be complete in nine months.

 

The track, that will be constructed as per the International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) norms will have the following — it will be an eight-lane track, water tank of steeple chase event will be at the centre of the track, jumping pits for long and triple jumps will be there, the entire track would be fenced and will have two doors apart form one main entrance, the track will also house an grass surface football ground, cages will be in place for hammer throw and discus throw and flood light will ensure that competitions can be held in day as well as night time. Following the COVID protocol, only a few invitees including varsity officials, members of management council and members of sports and physical education board will be present during the function.