Santhome playground to become football field
When playgrounds in Chennai are fast disappearing and those
being used are in a deplorable condition, the Chennai City Greater
Corporation has decided to convert the abandoned Santhome
Beach playground on Marina Loop Road into a full fledged football
ground.
Around 1.20 Crore has been sanctioned from the MLA fund for the
construction of the football ground, says a proud Dha Velu,
Mylapore MLA.
Dha Velu says a gallery, children’s play area, senior citizens open
gym, and toilets are also planned on that one-acre of land.
According to residents, the ground has been there for more than
50 years
There was no compound wall. I remember playing on the ground
with my friends. Beach sand used to be there. In recent years,
people started dumping garbage and have turned it into a public
toilet,” said a Mylapore resident a former football player from
Santhome
The ground was once used for football. The rusted goal posts still
stand, with garbage piled all around. As this ground has remained
unfit for use, youngsters and football enthusiasts are forced to
practice on a small field in Foreshore Estate.
“We share space with cricket players. We have been providing
free coaching to youngsters in the locality to create state-and
national-level players. The new ground will be a blessing. But it
should not be restricted to players from one or two hamlets
alone. That sort of politics should not prevail,” said a resident.
Beach walkers said that a horrible stench emanates from the
ground due to open defecation “The work should happen quickly,
and a proper turf should be laid. Club matches can be held here,
and regular coaching can be provided for kids from fishing
hamlets,” said one among them.
Environmental activists say that the use of the ground at night
can be avoided. G Sundarrajan from Poovulagin Nanbargal said
that if it is a turtle breeding area, flood lights should be avoided.
“The construction of galleries should be considered based on CRZ
guidelines,” he said.
Comentarios