Lucknow: Astro-turf at Chowk stadium against popul

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MY TIMES MY VOICE

Astro-turf at Chowk stadium against popular sentiment

The Chowk stadium is the only remaining suitable premises for any kind of sports activities for the huge population of Lucknow West and surrounding areas. Health-conscious people from all walks of life and age-groups use this stadium extensively for their morning and evening strolls. The stadium has also served as the venue for many popular sports events from the field of cricket, basketball, volleyball, football etc. I belong to this area since generations. I confess that hockey was never played as a regular game at this stadium. But if the astro-turf is laid at the stadium ground, it will be at the cost of health and sporting habits of the huge population who, as yet, have failed to cultivate any interest for hockey . If the astro-turf is laid here, it will cause irreparable loss to the peace-loving and health-conscious people of the area. Moreover, I may caution the concerned authorities that for several reasons the proper maintenance of the astro-turf for even a short duration is not possible. Thus, the vast amount of public money to be spent on this project will be wasted without achieving any purpose. I request the chief minister, the sports minister and the concerned authorities to honour the requirements and sentiments of the user population and abandon their plan to lay the astro-turf at Chowk stadium. —KC Mehrotra, Lucknow