Showpiece Delhi stadium lies unused as ground ‘sinks’ after track relaying project
FOR almost four years now, the iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here — listed as one of India’s five Class 1 facilities by World Athletics — hasn’t hosted any track-and-field event. The reason: “sinking” of the ground after a botched-up track relaying project.
The project, for which the Sports Authority of India (SAI) had earmarked Rs 6.50 crore, began in the summer of 2019 and was expected to be completed by 2021. It was handed to WAPCOS [Water and Power Consultancy Services (India) Limited], a public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Jal Shakti. But, when the project was nearing completion in 2021, a section of the 400 metre track over an underground tunnel started caving in.
The tunnel was built during the 2010 Commonwealth Games, and used for the opening and closing ceremonies...