//J. N. S GROUND OUTDOOR STADIUM 🏟️// HANAMKONDA

Описание: The eight-lane 400m track at Delhi's iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium has been under repair since 2019

It has been more than three years since the main 400-meter oval track at Delhi’s iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JNS) was closed down for the purpose of re-laying. The eight-lane track's synthetic surface had become worn-out .

Surprisingly, the stadium, under the jurisdiction of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), is still under construction. The reason is quite shocking.

Due to the faulty base-work done, a large portion of the track has been damaged again on the back straight as well on the home stretch. Since the track has become uneven, renovation work is still in progress and the area is closed for general practice.

The renovation work was also closed down partially due to the lockdown in 2020, caused by the COVID outbreak.

While the main 400m track is still under repair, the football pitch inside the oval is being used for practice and competition. Sandip Pradhan, Director General of SAI, wasn’t available for a comment on the completion of the track work.

An AFI official familiar with the development explained the situation on Tuesday.

“Even the long jump and javelin throw runways don’t meet the technical specifications of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) to conduct competition.”

Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium's troubled history

The 2010 Commonwealth Games opening ceremony was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was renovated in 2008 for the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games. Apart from the opening and the closing ceremonies, the track and field events of the 2010 CWG were also held at the JNS. The venue is the hub of athletics in the region.

A national-level athletics coach informed about how this situation came to be.

“The main track was damaged before it could be put to use in 2010 as the base-work was faulty. Then the track was hurriedly repaired to conduct the 2010 CWG athletics competition.”

Ad

According to a member of the technical panel constituted by SAI to oversee the repair work, tenders were floated by the organisation to relay the synthetic layer and not base-work.

“In 2010, the foundation work was sub-standard and needed to be repaired before relaying the top synthetic layer. An underground tunnel runs from the eastern side of the track to the west and is the main cause of damage. To check for further damage, the tunnel should be permanently closed.”

The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium was part of the 2010 Delhi CWG legacy and it becomes a talking point whenever athletics competitions are conducted in Delhi. Last year, three national-level competitions sanctioned by AFI were conducted at the warm-up ground as the main track was under renovation.

Since the main eight-lane synthetic track is closed for public, the upcoming Delhi State Athletics Championships from Thursday will be conducted at the adjoining warm-up track.

The athletics coach expressed his dissatisfaction with the state of affairs at the venue.

“Even the warm-up track is also worn-out and not suitable for competition or practice."

Ad

Quick Links

Edited by
Akshay Saraswat

Follow Us

Share

 

More from Sportskeeda

Zurich Diamond League 2022 Final: Complete list of winners 

September 09, 2022

“On the other side of passion lies your purpose” - When Allyson Felix gave one of the most inspiring speeches to a group of students 

September 10, 2022

"I’m going to take a nice long break" - When Allyson Felix opened up about her final race and future plans

September 10, 2022

"If you put your mind to anything with good intent, anything is achievable"- Para javelin thrower Pushpinder

September 10, 2022

Follow us for Athletics updates

   TIMELESS CLASSICS

World Athletics Championships 2022 Silver Medalist Neeraj Chopra says "I am happy to win silver for India, next year will try to do better", Anju Bobby George welcomes him to the club

Opinion: How Should Athletes Manage Their Sleep 

World Athletics Championships 2022: Medal table after Day 5 

Tokyo Olympics 2020-bound Indian physio, Dr. Arvind Yadav, reveals key pointers for athlete fitness at the Games

How Dutee Chand overcame the clouds of hyperandrogenism to become India's most successful sprinter?

Who is Noah Lyles? USA sprinter wins gold in 200 meters at World Athletics Championships 2022, comes close to Usain Bolt’s world record

Who is Michael Norman? American sprinter wins gold in 400m at World Athletics Championships 2022

Disappointed Neeraj Chopra pens down a heartfelt note for having to opt out of the CWG 2022 

From poverty to Olympics! 5 inspiring stories from India

Why did Simone Biles leave Nike? Gymnast's current sponsorship explored

Watch: Neeraj Chopra's 2022 Diamond League winning moment

September 09, 2022

"He was already a diamond, now a diamond league champion"- Twitter hails 2022 Diamond League Champion Neeraj Chopra's historic feat