Dharavi, for new sports complex

Mumbai: Dharavi's children will now be able to bend it like Beckham and hope to win a few sports medals after their recent Oscar triumph, with the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) plans to construct a sports complex in the area, work on which is expected to begin in July this year. And though the state-run sports complex will be open to all citizens, Residents of Dharavi will be offered lower rates.

The complex, said MMRDA officials, will be big enough to hold small ‘Olympiads' for slum children across the city. But it also has plenty of features — lounge areas, swimming pools, restaurants, dormitories and guestrooms — to attract the wellheeled. "We have designed facilities such as recreational halls and shops to make the complex earn its maintenance. "This will benefit those living in Dharavi, as through the money earned, we can lower the entry rates for them,'' said an MMRDA official, adding that they do not expect residents from other parts of the city to use the club as almost every other suburb has its own neighbourhood gymkhana.

"It will have state-of-the-art facilities for almost all sports including hockey, football, volleyball and cricket. The auditorium can be used for cultural events and training in drama and music,'' said a senior MMRDA official. "The decision on the fee structure will be taken only by the state sports department in consultation with the MMRDA,'' he added.
The money expected to be spent on the project is Rs 10 crore, and MMRDA has set a two-year-deadline for its completion. According to sources, the contract, after some serious bidding, has been give to API Constructions. The formalities of issuing the work order will be completed soon after the coming the election Code of Conduct is lifted.
"The complex will have a proper synthetic track for athletics, small and large swimming pools, and we will be hiring trainers for every game,'' added another official. It will be constructed on a 12,427 sq m open plot between the Dharavi bus depot and the Oil and Natural Gas Company (ONGC) office premise in front of the popular Mahim Nature Park.
Adequate parking space has been provided and according to the MMRDA's estimates, around 165 people are expected use the auditorium, 100 members will enroll in the gym and, and additional 150 people are expected to use the halls, galleries, etc.
The MMRDA has been planning this club for over year now, but the initial bidding process for the constriction of the complex had failed when bidders had quoted rates that were 50% above cost.