High Court nod must for non-sporting activities at Sarusajai

'It is currently in a bad shape as it has mostly been used for non-sporting purposes such as marriage receptions, political rallies, helipad for VVIPs, cultural shows and election strongroom'

By Our Staff Reporter

Guwahati, May 5: Disapproving of non-sporting activities organized at the Sarusajai Sports Complex in the city, the Gauhati High Court has said that from now on any party seeking to hold any non-sporting event in the stadium will have to seek permission from the court.

The order will be applicable from May 19.

The Election Commission is using the stadium as a strong room to keep EVMs of four constituencies of Guwahati used during the recently-conducted assembly elections. Counting of votes will be held on May 19.

“From May 19, anyone intending to hold any non-sporting activity at the Sarusajai stadium will have to first inform the High Court and seek permission,” a division bench of the court comprising Chief Justice Ajit Singh and Justice Suman Shyam said, hearing a PIL filed by Rajeeb Kalita.

Kalita in his PIL had said that non-sporting activities in the stadium has taken a toll on the infrastructure besides depriving sportsmen of the facility.

The stadium was constructed at a cost of Rs 149 crore on 350 bighas land for the tiol Games in 2007.

“It is currently in a bad shape as it has mostly been used for non-sporting purposes such as marriage receptions, political rallies, helipad for VVIPs, cultural shows and election strongroom,” Kalita said in his petition, praying for the court’s intervention.

Highlighting the neglect and lack of maintence of the sports complex, Kalita prayed that the complex should only be used for sporting events henceforth.

Kalita had made the Union Government, the Assam Government and the Sports Authority of Assam, the Indian Olympic Association, the Sports Authority of India, the Directorate of Sports and Youth Welfare and the Election Commission respondents in the case.

At present, the complex also houses 108 ambulance office, a CRPF camp and it also allows parking of vehicles by Tata Motors.