Date:16/08/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/08/16/stories/2006081605600200.htm

Tamil Nadu

Sorry state of stadium

UNRELIABLE: A gallery standing with the support of casuarina poles at the V.O.C. Stadium in Tirunelveli. — Photo: A. Shaikmohideen

As voters of Palayamkottai constituency overwhelmingly supported T.P.M. Maideen Khan in the May 8 Assembly elections, he won the battle of ballots by a thumping margin of over 41,000 votes and went on to become the Minister for Youth Welfare and Sports.

But an aged arena in his constituency - the V.O.C. Stadium - badly needs his immediate attention.

Heavy load

Whenever this sports ground hosts Independence Day and Republic Day celebrations, thousands of people from the twin towns of Tirunelveli and Palayamkottai converge at this stadium though cement benches in the galleries are not strong enough to withstand the heavy load.

When the Independence Day celebrations were held in this stadium on Tuesday all cement benches at the galleries on the eastern side and the western side were supported by bamboo and casuarina poles.

If the supporting poles suddenly gave way, the consequent could be grave.

Though this problem was pointed out on several occasions, nobody, including the Minister, bothered to reinforce these galleries.

From P. Sudhakar in Tirunelveli