Sh. Sanjeev Mittal, Member (Infra)/Railway Board and President, Railway Sports Promotion Board (RSPB) inspected the sports facilities available in Eastern Railway. During his visit to Kolkata, Sh. Mittal also interacted with athletes and coaches of various game disciplines. Sh. Mittal was accompanied by Sh, P.C. Lochab, Secretary/RSPB, President and General Secretary, Eastern Railway Sports Association (ERSA) and other officers.
Mr. Sanjeev Mittal ,Member (Infra)& President, RSPB with Mr.P.C.Lochab, Secretary, RSPB, Sh. A.K. Dubey, President, ERSA and Sh. P .Balalsundaram, Secretary, ERSA during the inspection
As a matter of fact, Indian Railways has a large pool of sportspersons, coaches and technical officials for various games and also a vast sports infrastructure in different Zonal Railways and Production Units across the country. Eastern Railway headquartered at Kolkata, also has some of the best facilities like those for Aquatics, cricket and Badminton among others. Member (Infra) Railway Board visited some of sports facilities in Eastern Railway and reviewed the plans for augmentation on 22nd March.
Sh. Mittal also visited the sports facility at Kacharapara. During his interaction with athletes and coaches and ERSA officials, Member (Infra) mentioned that the facilities like provision of synthetic track, football ground, lodging and boarding facilities are also required besides the augmentation of Gymnasium to match National standards.
Railway Board member also inspected the indoor facilities and cricket stadium at Behela. The indoor stadium at Behala can be used for conducting tournaments/championships of Volleyball, Basketball, Kabaddi and Badminton to name a few and can also be useful for hosting events involving mass congression. The inspection of the facilities for Aquatics at Behela was centred around the additions to convert it into an indoor pool with electronic touch pads, upgradation of the filtration system, Sauna, Steam and small pool for beginners. Development of the vacant land around this building for archery, gymnastics, power lifting, weight lifting, etc. was also discussed by the member with ERSA officials.
As a part of discussion during Board Member’s visit, it was mentioned that ERSA would engage Architects for planning out various facilities in Kolkata and will make proposals for realizing the plan.
Member (Infra) also inspected the facilities at Majerhat and discussed with Eastern Railway’s officers on the plan for making it the largest lodging and boarding facilities and development of a hockey ground and shooting range.
RKJ/M