The administration is working towards building 1,394 playgrounds in villages across the Valley. The deputy commissioners have been directed that each panchayat should have at least one playfield.
According to a report published by The Tribune, the details provided at a high-level review meeting chaired by the Divisional Commissioner revealed that the land had already been identified for 898 playgrounds across the 10 districts of the Kashmir valley.
Budgam district in central Kashmir tops the list where land has been identified for 163 playgrounds, followed by Baramulla in north Kashmir, where land has been identified for 157 playgrounds, said the report.
The administration has also initiated the development of 496 playgrounds across Kashmir with Baramulla leading the list with 146 playgrounds followed by Anantnag in south Kashmir with 146 playgrounds.
The tentative cost of the development of new playgrounds across Kashmir is Rs 59.10 crore, the meeting was informed.
The meeting was also informed that 780 panchayats in the Valley already had a playfield, while 1,402 panchayats did not have a playground.
The Divisional Commissioner directed all deputy commissioners of Kashmir’s 10 districts to ensure “that all panchayats should have at least one playfield”.
“The playground of the nearest panchayat should be utilised in case of non-availability of the ground in the same panchayat for the playing purpose,” The Tribune quoted the Divisional Commissioner as having said.
The need for playgrounds at the village level is aimed at providing space to the children to involve themselves in sporting activities.
Jammu and Kashmir lacks sufficient sporting and playing facilities even in schools.
Nearly 17,000 schools in J&K are without playgrounds, while 16.1 per cent schools have the playground facility outside the premises, The Tribune reported.
