Locals urge revival of Bicholim maidan

Bicholim: The famous Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Maidan at Bicholim, which hosted national league matches, has fallen into disuse, according to locals. Residents and football and cricket players from the area have urged the Bicholim Municipal Council (BMC) to revive the sports ground by installing turf and removing the barricades set up by authorities a few years ago.

BMC chairperson Vijaykumar Natekar said that due to local requests, plans are in place to lay artificial turf, but the work can only be taken up after the monsoon.

Local Dipesh Kamat said the dusty ground, which lacks turf, has become obsolete due to neglect. “The Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj maidan at Bicholim now is good for nothing. Players and visitors have to face acute dust pollution due to the lack of grass cover.”

Locals said that the decision to restrict the view of the ground by installing grilles has ruined its experience.

“The old Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj maidan was open on all sides, and spectators could watch cricket and football games and school sports activities with ease. However, ever since the grilles were fixed, it has almost become a prison, and people cannot watch the games from outside. The authorities should remove them and make the ground open,” said another local, Digambar Teli.

Resident Deepak Nawathe said the council should replant trees around the sports ground to replace those removed for safety reasons.