Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Ward 17 councillor Jack Sukhija has demanded that the Campal Parade Ground and Stadium Complex be opened to the public, stating that more than 10,000 residents of Panaji, including senior citizens and children, have been unable to use the facility despite it being completed nearly three years ago.
Addressing a press briefing outside the site at Campal, Sukhija said the 40,000-square-metre complex, developed under the Smart City initiative, includes a football stadium, walking track and children’s play area built to a high standard but remains inaccessible to the public.
“From what I can see, the facilities have been developed to a top-class standard. We have seen that because of the Smart City project many issues have come up, but this is one of the better projects, and it is mind-boggling why it is not open,” he said.
According to media reports cited by Sukhija, the redeveloped complex, built at an estimated cost of around ₹30 crore, comprises a football pitch, 1,350-seater covered stands, a multipurpose lawn, a children’s play area, an outdoor gym and smart parking facilities.
Making a direct appeal to the authorities, Sukhija said the ground should be made available for the people of Panaji. “We want this open so that the people of Panaji can get access to these facilities,” he said.
He noted that the stadium complex is situated in a central part of the city and is surrounded by residential colonies, making it a valuable public amenity for thousands of residents. He also pointed out that many senior citizens living nearby could benefit from the walking track and other facilities, adding that there was “no reason to keep it closed.”
Sukhija called upon the Smart City Mission and the Corporation of the City of Panaji (CCP) to take immediate steps to make the facility operational and accessible. He said no formal representation has yet been submitted, as the immediate objective is to create public awareness about the issue. Further action, he added, will be considered after assessing the public response and the steps taken by the concerned authorities.
