The government also plans to construct a new Yuva Bhawan in Sector 42A, Chandigarh, at a cost of INR 43 crore.
Punjab to Complete 3,100 Stadiums by June 2026 at INR 1,350 Crore Cost: CM Mann
On Wednesday, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann laid down a time-bound directive for an overhaul to improve the state's sports infrastructure, asking officials to complete 3,100 stadiums across Punjab by June 2026 at an estimated cost of INR 1,350 crore.
Mann addressed a review meeting of the Sports and Youth Services Department and said that the initiative was part of the implementation of the New Sports Policy 2023. It was focused on promoting grassroots sports, encouraging active lifestyles among youth, and channelling their energy into productive pursuits. “The state government’s objective is to channel the energy of Punjab’s youth into productive, disciplined pursuits and pull them away from the menace of drugs,” the chief minister said during the meeting.
The planned stadiums primarily being constructed in villages across the state are set to include fencing, gates, jogging tracks, levelled playgrounds, volleyball courts, trees, storage facilities and other basic amenities. The chief minister emphasised that quality of work and strict adherence to timelines must be ensured by the concerned departments, officials said.
The state government announced a comprehensive development package that includes the establishment of nearly 3,000 ultra-modern gyms, the distribution of 17,000 sports kits worth INR 50 crore, and the launch of a state sports portal designed to facilitate online registration, event organisation, ground bookings, e-certificates, scholarships, and player gradation services.
Mann said that the sports kits comprising volleyballs, footballs, cricket bats, wickets, and tennis balls are to be distributed across the state, with an initial target to dispense 5,600 kits in villages by March 31, 2026.
According to officials, the government also plans to construct a new Yuva Bhawan in Sector 42A, Chandigarh, at a cost of INR 43 crore. The proposed facility will include hostel accommodation for 200 youth, an auditorium with a seating capacity of 400, conference rooms, and seminar halls.
Mann further announced that trekking, adventure and team activity camps will be organised in nine forest areas for more than 10,000 participants starting early next year, reinforcing the state government’s focus on holistic youth engagement and sports-led development.
Source: Times of India
