TURA, June 23: The Rs 127.7-crore PA Sangma Sports Complex in the Dakopgre locality of Tura has been in the eye of the storm for close to six months now.
The iconic venue, once called the MP Stadium, later renamed as Dikki–Bandi stadium and now known as PA Sangma Sports Complex in honour of one of the most famous sons of Meghalaya, the venue is iconic to residents of Garo Hills and by extension, the entire state.
Of late however, it has been mired in controversy. The first salvo was the hasty inauguration of the stadium by the then NPP-led MDA Government even before the stadium was complete. After the MDA returned to power, the contractor Badri Rai Constructions (BRC) resumed the construction work.
Locals around the stadium however vented their frustration at what they believe was the company trying to cut corners and leaving the entire structure at risk.
An animated local from Rongkhon Songittal, the locality that falls behind the stadium, caught up with Tura MP Agatha Sangma after her visit to the site on Thursday and provided her with inputs on what was wrong with the construction.
“Even before the structure is complete, it is cracking apart. They have not reinforced the structure with enough number of rods. Where they needed to put 10 mm rods, they used 6 mm, despite our pleas. We may not be experts but we are not fools either. The walls are literally sand and cement. We were sure that this too will fall just like the company did with the Assembly dome,” the local told Agatha.
What seems strange to the locals is that they are not allowed to visit the stadium despite its inauguration six month back. Armed CRPF men stand at every entry-exit point and shoo away anyone that tries to enter. While such protection is required for an under-construction project, the fact that the complex has already been inaugurated, it has complicated matters.
“We have been objecting to how the stadium was being constructed right in front of our eyes. We can see them cut corners but can do nothing about what is happening. The problem is that BRC employees working at the site are stubborn and don’t listen to any advice,” another local said.
The fact that the company was cutting costs came to the forefront after the collapse of the retaining wall. One of the employees, during a discussion, admitted to the fact that the old guard wall was worked over and it was the same wall that collapsed, laying bare their best plans.
The advice, as per locals, came not only from commoners but even experts, including engineers. This fact was acknowledged by the Tura MP as well who asked the company to heed advice given by locals as they would understand local terrain better.
A tour of the facility along with locals showed many sections of the stadium that could do with more reinforcement.
“Just look at how they welded the stairs leading up to the seating. The stairs has no support below and given that 9,500 people will be coming to see football matches in this facility, can they guarantee this will not break within a few months. If it does, there will surely be injuries. The stadium is meant for us and our children, so how can they compromise on quality at the cost of our lives,” asked another.
Senior citizens under the banner of the New Tura Development Forum (NTDF) raised concerns on the quality of construction.
Pointing to the base of the stadium, the senior citizens showed that the structure had already developed cracks.
Further in another section to the stadium near the entrance, it can clearly be seen that many of the iron beams were already bent and this at a time when the stadium has not even been used. They also pointed to the iron rods that were recovered from the site of Thursday’s disaster and questioned how only a few rods were used to retain the wall.
“There are no beams to support the walls when even for small walls, we provide beams. We are not technical experts but ‘seeing is believing’ and what we have seen points to some sub-standard work. As the project involves central funds, we request that central audits, including those for schematics, technical as well as PES is undertaken. These should be able to bring out what is wrong and make the required corrections,” said NDTF president David Ch Marak.
The NTDF members, expressing frustration, pointed out that they had raised the issue of the quality of construction right from the beginning.
“We had filed a police complaint as they were bringing low quality stones from Bhutan and transporting sand gravel from the Ringrey river, but we were threatened. Now the results of our warning have come to fruition,” informed general secretary LC Momin.
