OMR continues to wait for playgrounds in Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI: S Jayakumar of Sholinganallur on OMR loves volleyball, but must travel 10km-15km to Adyar or Mylapore to play it. Most vacant grounds, his other best option, are disappearing to 'development,' and the playgrounds announced by Greater Chennai Corporation in 2017 remain on paper.
OMR associations had written to the corporation in 2015 requesting playgrounds, and it was announced in 2017 that two OSR lands in the area would be developed into playgrounds with all modern facilities, tracks, football and basketball courts, amphi theatres."This can be used by residents of OMR as we wouldn't mind travelling a bit further if the facilities are for free," says Jayakumar. "Right now, we use facilities of private sports academies that are very expensive."
Corporation assistant engineer Kasi Viswanathan told TOI estimates were prepared and tenders were to be called when a resident welfare association filed a case stating it didn't wanted a park on its OSR land, not a playground. "The case is still pending. We have all designs and other estimates prepared. But we have been asked to keep them on hold," he said.
Kavitha, a resident, said playfields are vital in any locality as they help make kids active. "We hope the GCC come sup woth atleats one playfield in OMR," she said.
G Sathish, another resident, said he wrote to the corporation many times on the issue. "We understand that one OSR land is stuck in litigation. But what stops the civic body from developing the other one. There are so many children here and several sports persons who practise professionally."