Koraput:
The indoor stadium at Jeypore in Odisha's Koraput district was meant to promote indoor games like badminton, table tennis, gymnastics and basketball in a big way.
It was conceived to cater to the sporting needs of the tribal-dominated district, but ironically, it is lying locked since its inauguration in February.
Sports lovers allege that due to the lackadaisical attitude of officials, the stadium has now turned into a wasteful expenditure.
The facility was built at an estimated cost of Rs 1.20 crore by Integrated Tribal Development Agency of Jeypore under Backward Regions Grant Fund (BGRF).
"The main aim of the stadium was to promote indoor sports in the area, but it's unfortunate that the stadium is yet to be put to use. Now the stadium has turned into a haven for anti-social activities," said President of Sub-divisional Athletic Association (Jeypore) Anup Patro.
Growth of wild trees and bushes around the stadium blocks the approach road and from a distance it resembles a haunted house.
Due to use of substandard materials, water has started leaking in from the roof and the stadium is cracking at many places, alleged local residents.
"Indoor stadium at Jeypore was a longstanding demand of people of the area. The stadium had raised hopes that it will boost efficiency of sportspersons in various indoor games and help groom budding talents, but nothing of that sort has happened," said Tapas Panigrahi, a veteran table tennis player of Jeypore.
Admitting that the indoor stadium was inaugurated in a hurry, Sub-Collector of Jeypore, Purandhar Dharua said "some minor works, including electrification, are still pending for which the contractor has not handed over structure to the administration."
Efforts are being made to complete the works at the earliest and then the stadium would be handed over to the municipality for maintenance, he said.