Kolkata, May 24 -- BJP MLA Swapan Dasgupta claimed on social media that Rabindra Sarobar Stadium was set for a "new era" after alleged illegal occupancies inside the iconic south Kolkata sports venue were cleared, paving the way for a major renovation project.
In a social media post, the Rashbehari MLA said the stadium would be upgraded and could eventually get an Olympic-standard athletics track. His remarks came shortly after the state government reportedly put sections of the stadium under lock and key following an eviction drive. The action followed allegations that portions beneath the stadium galleries had long been occupied by club offices linked to relatives of Trinamool Congress supremo Mamata Banerjee and former sports minister Arup Biswas.
Among the clubs named were Kalighat Sports Lovers' Association, linked to Mamata Banerjee's brother Swapan "Babun" Banerjee, Vivek Club associated with another brother Kartik Banerjee, and Kalighat Milan Sangha, linked to Ajit Banerjee. Suruchi Sangha, associated with former minister Arup Biswas, also allegedly operated from the premises.
The developments have, however, sparked anxiety among coaches and trainees attached to the Athletics Training Centre (ATC), which functions from the stadium complex. One coach said the ATC, regarded as West Bengal's first athletics training centre, was found locked after the clearance drive. Around 130 children reportedly train there.
Another coach alleged that athletics activities inside the stadium had virtually stopped, forcing nearly 300 trainees from two organisations to practise on dusty outer grounds, raising concerns over both training standards and health conditions.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.