CityweliveIn a significant advancement for Punjab’s sports infrastructure, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal are scheduled to lay the foundation stone for the long-anticipated sports hub project tomorrow in the city. Originally envisioned 17 years ago, the plan appeared to have faded into obscurity—until now. The AAP government has seized the moment to bring it back to life, with final arrangements underway for the high-profile ceremony. A large tent accommodating 6,000 seats has been set up, and officials expect a turnout of nearly 10,000 people, including local citizens, athletes, and VIP guests.
Municipal Corporation teams have been actively engaged in cleaning and sprucing up the site. The anticipated turnout has led to heightened sanitation measures and tightened security, as police and administrative teams work closely to manage the crowd and logistics.
“This marks a proud chapter for the city. The upcoming sports hub will both develop local talent and offer our youth access to state-of-the-art facilities,” said a Municipal Corporation official.
The facility is planned to feature an array of indoor and outdoor stadiums, training academies, and community spaces aimed at cultivating a strong sports culture in the region.
As part of the redevelopment, Burlton Park will be transformed into an expansive sports hub. Plans include stadiums for cricket, football, badminton, volleyball, table tennis, and judo, along with an Olympic-standard swimming pool.
Mayor Vaneet Dhir, who has been regularly visiting Burlton Park with MC Commissioner Gautam Jain, reviewed the progress and directed workers to clean up the site and complete essential patchwork. He also instructed the contractor to ensure the project’s completion within a year.
“I’m receiving calls from sports lovers everywhere—there’s immense excitement that the long-pending sports hub is finally becoming a reality,” said Dhir.
To ensure the event proceeds smoothly, authorities are also implementing security measures, rerouting traffic, and organising public transportation services.
Mayor Dhir further shared that the MRF (Material Recovery Facility) plant at Burlton Park will soon become operational to process waste generated in the area.
Meanwhile, senior Congress leader Balraj Thakur criticised the state’s focus on the event. In a press release, he stated that for the past fortnight, government personnel, MC officials, administrative staff, and equipment have all been stationed at Burlton Park. “Whenever we request work in local wards, the response is always: ‘After the CM’s function.’ For example, a tree fell near Rana Hospital in Prakash Nagar after a recent storm, and despite multiple complaints, no action was taken due to manpower being diverted to preparations.”
He further alleged that the park’s inauguration, initially scheduled for last week, had already caused undue disruption in municipal functions. “I urge Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to instruct the administration to ensure that the preparations for your Jalandhar visit don’t bring other civic responsibilities to a standstill,” Thakur concluded.
