Persistent rains turn mini stadium in Bagepalli into a lake

Unexpected rains caused by Cyclone Nilam in the Bay of Bengal resulting in stagnation of water in the mini stadium making it resemble like a lake.

Two days of continues rain made the stadium a venue for children to play in water. Water flowed onto the street in places where drainage work was in progress.

Road block

Traffic was hindered on the main road. Footpath vendors had a difficult time transacting business due to incessant rain.

The stagnation of water in the mini stadium is mainly due to the fact that the work on it is yet to be completed. The stadium is located in Ward No 1 of the town close to the Ambedkar Students’ Hostel.

The work on the stadium was initiated during the tenure of former legislator N Sampangi, when he was the president of the Sports Council.

Funds spent

Several lakhs have been spent on the civil works of the stadium. Initially Rs 16 lakh was sanctioned to Karnataka Land Army. Later when G V Srirama Reddy was the legislator Rs 33 lakhs was granted to the Public Works Department.

Now the State Finance Commission has released Rs 16 lakh in addition to Rs 3 lakh from the legislators fund. However, the work on the stadium is yet to be completed and not in a condition to be used by sportsmen for practice.

Stadium work

Work is now in progress at the stadium. The ground has been levelled and wall fencing has been done. However, water accumulated in the stadium during the two days of heavy rains on Wednesday and Thursday. Water also entered the nearby houses.

Most of the occupants of the ward No 1 and 2 are farm labourers, who have not been provided with minimum basic facilities.

It is alleged that there has been irregularities and misappropriation in the funds allotted to the mini stadium.