Dehradun, 17 May:
With the aim to strive towards achieving National and International standards in sports, the State Government had approached ONGC for its support in developing various sports infrastructures in the state. The state has proposed for the various projects worth Rs. 200 crore including construction of International level Sports Academy at Suddhowala (Rs. 100 cr), development of City Park-cum-Indoor Stadium at Sahastradhara (Rs. 50 cr) and upgradation of Parade Ground, Pavilion Ground and Sports College (Rs. 50 cr).
Chairman and Managing Director, ONGC, Sudhir Vasudeva had assured of all possible cooperation in this direction.
In a meeting held at Chief Minister Residence on Thursday, Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna placed the proposal before the ONGC CMD Vasudeva. He said that the Central Government too had extended assurance to assist in developing sports infrastructures in the state. He said that Union Sports Minister had inspected the places where sports infrastructures were proposed to be developed.
On the behest of Chief Minister Bahuguna, the ONGC CMD agreed for the construction of Night Restrooms for homeless women at Dehradun for Garhwal region and at Haldwani for Kumaon region. Meanwhile, Chief Minister, welcoming the proposal of CMD for ONGC's participation in construction of hydro-power projects approved by the Union Environment and Forest Ministry, directed the concerned officers to hold meeting of both the parties. Mr. Bahuguna apprised Mr. Vasudeva about state government's plan to establish Thermal Plant outside the state in appropriate location to meet the power shortage existing in the state. Mr. Bahuguna, responding to the request of Mr. Vasudeva approved shifting of Women Poly-technique Institute from ONGC premises and allocated 5 acres land for the Institute near Technical University. He also gave a nod to the ONGC's proposal for the beautification of historic Clock Tower and area between the Clock Tower and Chakrata Road. ONGC CMD agreed to the proposal of Chief Minister Bahuguna to provide financial assistance for Badminton Tournament hosted in memory of former Student Union leader late Himanshu Naithani.
Chief Minister Bahuguna, later speaking to the Electronic Media, disclosed about the decisions taken by State Government and ONGC. He said that CMD ONGC had assured to get sanctioned the Rs. 200 crore projects proposed by the State Government for sports infrastructure development in Company's Board Meeting. "Very soon a meeting will be called to prepare Agreement for the projects at Delhi," Mr. Bahuguna said adding that the Mr. Vasudeva had assured to finalize the projects by August 15.
The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Dr. Indira Hridayesh, Planning and Sports Minister Dinesh Agarwal, Director (HR), ONGC, KS Jamestin; Senior Consultant, ONGC, KK Kaul; General Manager, Head Corporate Administration, ONGC, DD Mishra; Chief Secretary, Alok Kumar Jain; Principal Secretary to Chief Minister DK Kotia, Principal Secretary Rakesh Kumar, Secretary to CM SS Sandhu and In-charge Secretary Sports Ajay Pradhyot among others.
