Bhubaneswar: The demolition of the swimming complex at the Kalinga Stadium here finally began, Thursday. However, the saddest part was the ineffective public outcry which didn’t put any impact on the state government.
The boundary walls adjacent to the pool are being demolished in the initial phases. Later the swimming and diving pools, spectator gallery on the northern side and the western portion of the pool, will be pulled down.
The place will be used for the expansion of the hockey complex as extra galleries will be set up to accommodate more spectators for the FIH World Hockey League Finals in December this year and the Hockey World Cup in 2018 November-December. Notably, all the activities at the complex had been closed officially, September 20 onwards.
The swimming and diving pools with world class infrastructure had been set up at a cost of approximately Rs 10 crore in 2004 and 2008 respectively. Sources stated that rebuilding the set up again would incur a minimum cost of Rs 25 crore.
On the other hand, the sports department has assured that a new pool complex will be ready by March next year and the swimmers will be able to return to training at the stadium.
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