The state-of-the-art synthetic track at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) at its Ravi Nagar Sports Complex was dedicated to the sportspersons by Deputy Chief Minister of Maharashtra Devendra Fadnavis on Sunday afternoon. RTMNU Vice-Chancellor Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Pro-VC Sanjay Dudhe, Registrar Dr Raju Hiwse, Management Council Members Vamanrao Turke, Ajay Chavan, former Sports and Physical Education Department Director Dr Dhananjay Welukar, Director of Sports and Physical Education Department Dr Sharad Suryawanshi, Dr Prashant Maheshwari, Dr Sanjay Kavishwar, Dr Prashant Kadu, Madhavi Mardikar, Dr Vishakha Joshi, Sanjay Bhende, Dronacharya and Arjuna awardee Vijay Munishwar, Dhanashree Lekurwale were prominently present. Senior athletics coach Bhau Kane, Dr Vijay Datarkar, Dr Sanjay Chaudhari, Dr Yashwant Patil, Dr Vivek Avasare, District Athletics Association President Gurudev Nagarle, Chairman Umesh Naidu, Senior Joint Secretary Ramchandra Wani, Archana Kottewar, Shekhar Suryawanshi, Dr Vibekanand Singh, coach Ravindra Tong, Jitendra Ghordadekar and others also graced the programme.

 

The synthetic track has gained international status a last month after it got the International Class II Athletics Facility Track Status Certificate from CEO of World Athletics John Ridghan. Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had laid the foundation stone of synthetic track in July, 2021. After completion of preliminary works, the final phase of work started in March. Experts Beh Hui Poo, Lo Yan Herg and Chiang Moon Chun from Malaysia supervised the work of layering in March 2023. The application of 12 to 15 mm polyurethane and two layers of 1 to 4 mm granular rubber, 1 to 4 mm EPDM red rubber was completed in the month of April under the experts’ supervision. Later, the lane marking was done in May under the guidance of Valery Buchrev and Mamed Akhundov from Latvia.

 

Special arrangements have been made for shot put and javelin throw in the east side and hammer throw at the west side apart from spectators gallery. There are also jumping pits for long jump and triple jump at the south end of the track. A drainage system is in place to prevent the track from getting damaged from rain water. A chain-link fencing has also been placed around the track to prevent free movement. Special arrangements have been made on the east and west side of the ground for practice. The football field will remain in centre of the track and a special hydraulic bridge will be constructed for entry and exit which will save the track from getting damaged due from mud. The ground also has atmospheric sprinkler system in the football field.

In order to avoid shortage of water, a two-lakh litre capacity water storage tank and rain water harvesting system have been installed in the entire area. Media area at finish line, pit for photo finish during the competitions are some of the added features in the area. Registrar Dr Raju Hiwse, Dr Suryawanshi, Dr Welukar, Baptis D’Souza of Athletics Federation of India, Alpana Patne, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Atul Gote, Sub-Divisional Engineer, Varsha Ghushe, Praveen More, Junior Engineer Akash Pagare, University Engineer Pallavi Giri, Deputy Engineer Nitin Viswabhar and the then RTM Nagpur University Engineer Seshrao Tajne have contributed a lot in construction of synthetic tracks.