Velodrome project is nowhere near completion

It awaits clearance from technical experts

The velodrome project of the district has been inordinately delayed with no time-line in sight for its completion. The work, which began in 2014 with the government giving administrative approval, was slated to be completed in one-and-a-half years, but has been inching along for multiple reasons.

The Karnataka State Amateur Cyclist Association had complained that technical requirements for the velodrome were not being adhered to. The work on the project, which is 60% complete according to officials of the Sports Department, has been suspended since January 2018.

“Following the complaint, we stopped the work and wrote to the Deputy Commissioner to call the experts of Cycling Federation of India to inspect the work and check if it’s being done as per international standards. But, till today, the experts have not visited the place,” said the officials.

They said while total project cost is ₹7.34 crore, the contractor has been paid ₹3.6 crore.

While the cyclist association maintained that the project has not been done as per specification, the Sports Department officials said unless the project is cleared by technical experts, the remaining funds will not be cleared.

The contractor, meanwhile, said they have followed all norms and that the work has been halted only because the government hasn’t cleared funds. Sports Ministry sources too said the work has stopped because of non-payment of bills. Meanwhile, it is learnt that a meeting of officials to be chaired by Deputy Commissioner Y.S. Patil has been convened to discuss the matter and find a solution.

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