Kohima, Mar 12 (PTI) Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said that the state government is exploring the option to hand over the over 20-year-old under-construction Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex (MDSC) in Dimapur to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to ensure its completion.
The chief minister informed the Assembly that the sports complex, spread across 64.25 acres, is among the largest sports infrastructure initiatives in the state.
Rio said that a Memorandum of Understanding between the state government and SAI is currently in process.
The issue of delay in completing the project, being carried out by the state government, was raised by NPP MLA Nuklutoshi on the last day of the first leg of the two-phase budget session.
Nuklutoshi pointed out that the sports complex has been under construction for more than two decades and could soon be approaching its “silver jubilee” if delays continue.
He noted that the project was initiated during the tenure of Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio and urged that it be completed under his leadership, describing it as an important project for the people of the state.
Responding to the concern, Rio acknowledged that the project has attracted significant public attention, including discussions on social media, and assured the House that the government is committed to ensuring its completion.
The site is fully fenced and free from encroachment, he said, adding that the project was initially conceived as a major athletics stadium with a proposed seating capacity of about 30,000 spectators.
Rio said that during the tenure of the Planning Commission, the state government had sought financial assistance for the project as Nagaland had limited internal resources. Funds were subsequently released in installments of about Rs 11 crore annually between 2006 and 2011, amounting to Rs 43 crore, he said.
However, Rio admitted that earlier planning may not have fully accounted for the scale of infrastructure required, including functional rooms and other facilities necessary for a stadium of such magnitude.
With the transition from the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog and the introduction of the GST regime, funding support became uncertain, slowing the pace of construction, he said.
To sustain the project, the state government later mobilised additional capital investment of Rs 97 crore. In total, Rs 140 crore has been invested so far, Rio said.
The overall requirement for completing the project has now risen to around Rs 267 crore, including GST and additional components.
Given the financial constraints faced by the state, the chief minister said the government considers handing over the complex to the SAI as the most viable option.
According to Rio, SAI would be able to complete the remaining construction and develop the facility into a national-standard coaching centre with professional training and national-level coaches.
He recalled that following discussions with the Union Sports Ministry, officials from SAI had inspected the stadium and an in-principle agreement was reached for the authority to take over the complex. Although the process was delayed earlier due to changes in ministerial portfolios, the proposal has now been revived, he said.
The proposal is presently with the Law and Justice Department for vetting, and once cleared, the agreement will be signed with the SAI regional directorate.
After the remaining roofing and walling works are completed, the contractor will hand over the complex to SAI for further development and management, he said.
The chief minister also highlighted the need for improved access to the stadium. He said that with a seating capacity of around 30,000, the complex currently has only one entry point, which is inadequate for crowd management.
The government is therefore examining the possibility of developing at least three approach roads from the south, east and north. A second survey has already been conducted to assess the feasibility of these connections, he said.
Rio added that the delay in the project cannot be entirely attributed to the contractor, noting that construction progress has largely depended on the availability of funds over the years.
Expressing optimism, he said that once the facility is transferred to SAI, it would not only be completed but also fully utilised, enabling Nagaland to host national and regional sporting events while providing better training opportunities for sportspersons from the state. PTI NBS NN
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