Nandanam to get indoor stadium

Chennai: The Chennai corporation has zeroed in on a quiet neighbourhood on Nandanam First Main road to construct a swanky new indoor stadium, according to officials. Set to come up at a cost of around Rs10 crore, the facility will be built on a piece of land measuring approximately 1.5 acres in the midst of a residential colony. corporation officials told DC that there is an impetus to construct new playgrounds on available space in the city and also renovating the existing ones.

“Including Nandanam, we have identified 150 spots in the city to develop parks and playgrounds. If the area is reasonably large, then the plan is to develop playground and throw in some greenery and walking areas,” said an official. “We have developed parks all around but at some point we have to develop playgrounds keeping children in mind. Because as much as the senior citizens need recreation and leisure space, the children need it as well,” a senior official remarked.

Officials added that the stadium plans are in the nascent phase and that a design consultant will be hired to finalise the features. The corporation will maintain the facility after construction. Interestingly, the land on which the stadium will come up used to be a playground but now stands uncared and unused. Motorists and passersby use the space to relieve themselves while the stink from fecal material strewn around cannot be missed. “Children used to play cricket and football. The whole ground used to be full of activity,” recalled S Raveendran, a long-time resident.

But that was three years ago. Metro Rail work in the city and the subsequent need to house the labour force involved in the construction cost the children of the locality their playing space. “The workers stayed in temporary shelters. By the time they moved out, the whole area was unrecognisable,” Raveendran added.

Though the Metro Rail workforce vacated nearly a year ago, the playground was not restored. Instead road contractors hired by corporation started dumping debris from relaying work carried out elsewhere. However, all that is changing as the civic body is engaging trucks to clear out the debris for the past four days.