Sports culture flourishing in the state to keep youth away from drugs
Model playgrounds Worth Rs. 3.18 Crore, 107 Parks to be Built for Rs. 2.40 Crore in Jalandhar
Boost to employment under MGNREGA
Jalandhar, April 3, 2025:
As part of its vision to make Punjab drug-free and transform it into a Rangla Punjab, the Punjab Government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched a widespread campaign against drugs while simultaneously taking concrete steps to encourage youth participation in sports. Under this initiative, 98 model sports grounds will be constructed in Jalandhar district at a cost of Rs. 3.18 crore to provide better sports infrastructure for the youth.
Divulging the details, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Himanshu Aggarwal stated that under the convergence plan, approval has been granted for the construction of 98 model sports grounds in various blocks of the district at a cost of Rs. 3.18 crore. Of these, 23 will be built in Block Lohian, 58 in Adampur, and 17 in Nakodar. The funding includes Rs. 1.74 crore from MGNREGA and Rs.1.44 crore from additional sources.
Dr. Aggarwal further stated that these sports grounds will be equipped with essential infrastructure and modern sports facilities. He emphasized that this initiative by the state government will not only encourage youth towards sports but also provide a proper platform for emerging athletes. Special attention will be given to promoting the sport that is most popular among the children of the respective village or area. He also mentioned that while 98 model sports grounds are being developed in the first phase, officials have already been directed to expedite the process for the construction of more such grounds in the next phase.
In addition to the sports grounds, 107 parks will be developed across different blocks in Jalandhar district at a cost of Rs. 2.40 crore. The Deputy Commissioner revealed that these include 9 parks in Lohian, 6 in Mehatpur, 59 in Adampur, 15 in Shahkot, and 18 in Noormahal. The funding for these parks includes Rs. 82.89 lakh from MGNREGA and Rs. 1.57 crore from other funds. These parks will provide residents with enhanced recreational and walking spaces.
Dr. Aggarwal also highlighted that the construction of these model sports grounds and parks will generate significant employment opportunities in rural areas. He noted that these projects will create over 40,000 mandays of work under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGA), benefiting hundreds of people in villages by providing them with employment.