Team Goemkarponn
Porvorim: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Wednesday came down heavily on the Goa Cricket Association (GCA) for its prolonged inaction over the proposed cricket stadium at Dhargal, warning that the government will reclaim the land if construction work is not initiated within the next two years.
“The GCA doesn’t seem serious at all about the Dhargal stadium. It has already been eight years and no progress has been made. If the GCA fails to begin ground work in the next two years, we will take back the land,” Sawant stated in the Assembly.
He further said that the government is open to allowing GCA to shift the project to an alternate site, including Mulinge, if it so desires. “It is up to the GCA to decide where they want the stadium. We are ready to support them,” the Chief Minister added.
The remarks came after Bicholim MLA Premendra Shet urged the government to construct a cricket ground at Mauligem village in his constituency. Responding to the request, the Chief Minister clarified that the government itself will not build the stadium on the proposed land but is willing to provide it to the GCA and extend all necessary support for its development. However, he pointed out that the GCA has so far failed to take any steps toward the project.
Highlighting a broader concern, Sawant revealed that Goa has 153 playgrounds across the state, of which only 10 are actively used. He called on sports associations to come forward and make effective use of the underutilised infrastructure.
Sardesai warned that shifting the location again would render the entire exercise futile. “If you hold just one match every three years, the project becomes a white elephant and GCA will go bankrupt. Is that the plan?” he questioned, pointing out that despite contributing ₹10 crore for the same.
He also cited past logistical failures. “That land was chosen for its accessibility to five-star hotels and overall logistical ease. So why is the project still stuck?”
Highlighting bureaucratic hurdles, Sardesai asked the Chief Minister of Goa directly: “Has the high-tension wire been shifted, yes or no? Has the PWD issued the road approach letter?”
He concluded by calling for seriousness: “If we truly care about sports infrastructure and want world-class facilities, stop the delays and act.”
