The Newtown Kolkata Development Authority (NKDA) has backtracked from any mention of charges in its latest notice put up at the designated playgrounds that it maintains across New Town. And the authorities have decided not to charge more than Rs 500 for enrolment in the sports coaching camps that will be run at the parks.
The time band for physical activities by residents which was earlier restricted to 5am to 8.30am and 6pm to 8pm has now been extended through the day, from 5am to 8pm. But residents will have to register themselves with the NKDA by filling up an online form, as reported earlier in the article “NKDA to run coaching camps in New Town playgrounds” in the edition dated June 24.
The process is under way and over 600 identity cards have been issued on the basis of such applications. “We are receiving 50-60 applications daily,” said NKDA chief executive officer Animesh Bhattacharya. Though the notice board mentions July 15 to be the last date, applications will continue to be received for now, he said.
Earlier, the notice had mentioned all outsiders wishing to play would have to book the ground for Rs 500 for a maximum of three hours.
An advertisement would be published soon for the empanelment of coaches as the New Town Business Club gears up to start sports coaching camps at some of these grounds. The running of private coaching camps by block associations had raised the NKDA’s hackles, leading to the grounds being padlocked for several weeks for the better part of the day.
“We are making sure all local residents can enjoy the grounds under the NKDA’s supervision at no cost. The NKDA will provide training on residents’ request on payment. We have a revenue-sharing model for other sports like skating between the trainers and NKDA, with us providing the infrastructure and they the skill, which we will follow for cricket and football also,” said NKDA chairman Debashis Sen. He assured that the coaching fees would not exceed Rs 500. “By August 15, I hope coaching would start,” he added.
Sen defended the decision to restrict the use of the 10 playgrounds to local residents as the grounds were being maintained with their property taxes. “Since one group playing on the ground would exclude another, we have to give priority to locals so there is no conflict. Outsiders are welcome to jog or walk in parks like the green verges and Neem Banani, or use our public roads for skating or cycling. These activities are not exclusionary,” Sen said.
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