Bringing Together Disaster Management And Sports Infrastructure – A Practical And Winning Combination

Bhubaneswar: For a state like Odisha that is known for being in the eye of natural disasters and calamities, preparedness in every aspect is of utmost importance. Resilient infrastructure along with men and materials is the key to successful management of disasters such as cyclones and floods. Odisha’s continuing battle with disasters and calamities has helped it strengthen its shield against them. Today, it has the best disaster management system in place that has successfully demonstrated how people’s lives can be saved at critical times. Odisha’s success lies in its futuristic planning and implementing on the ground the mitigation plans.

Taking another step forward towards creating a sustainable infrastructure for disaster management, the Odisha Government has decided to construct 89 Multipurpose Indoor stadiums across the state that will also act as disaster relief infrastructure and serve as emergency shelters during calamities. For a state like Odisha that is excelling in both Sports and Disaster Management, the decision is a win win combination that aims to strengthen its fight against disasters.

The Cabinet headed by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has approved the setting up of 89 Multi-Purpose Indoor Stadiums under “Urban Sports Infrastructure Development Project” at a total project cost of Rs 693.35 Crore to be completed over next 18 months. Under the 5 T initiatives, this project has been taken up to ensure transformation of the Sports sector in the state. Situated in the Urban Local Bodies across the state, the stadiums will have facilities for playing Badminton, Table Tennis, Yoga, Gymnasium, etc. The indoor hall space can be utilised for most of the indoor games and can be converted as per the local popularity of various indoor sports. The indoor stadiums are also designed to withstand wind speeds up to 200 kmph. Setting up of a number of Indoor Stadiums across the state will help budding talent to get trained not far away from their homes. They will not be required to travel long distances for a sports facility. Decentralisation of sports will help in creating new sports talent from all around the state.

The aim is that the stadiums can be utilised as community shelters during disasters like cyclones, floods etc. This decision of the government can be said as the most practical one and far sighted towards creating infrastructure and productive assets that will be of great help to the state at the time of need and otherwise.

Japan has more than 220,000 sports facilities set up by local authorities that provide local residents with opportunities for health promotion, sports activities and social interaction. During large-scale disaster situations the people associated with these sports facilities are called upon to assist in the safeguarding of the lives and property of local people. The devastating Earthquake and Tsunami of 2011 in Japan is the best example of using multipurpose infrastructure for emergency situations. When lakhs of houses damaged and more than four lakh people marooned, public sports facilities came as a blessing in disguise and played an extremely vital role. Especially, the big sporting halls in various municipalities performed important functions being used as emergency shelters, volunteer centers or disaster relief headquarters.

The proposed Multi Purpose Stadiums can be utilized during pandemics by converting them into 50-bed (NAC Model) or 100-bed (Municipality model) field hospitals. The Stadiums will be an asset for the ULBS which can be utilised for training, meetings, examination centers etc. With this project, the image of Odisha as an emerging Sports powerhouse will be further strengthened.

One of the best advantages of these Indoor Stadiums will be involvement of youth. While the sports infrastructure and arrangements will bring the young generation together for sports and games, the place will also become a landmark as a designated place for disaster relief and emergency shelters. The young generation will be ready to attend to emergency situations they are most familiar with. By this, an army of volunteers can be kept ready of any eventuality.

Odisha has a good experience of using government buildings and other infrastructure for multiple purposes. The Covid-19 pandemic is an example when the government schools were converted into quarantine centers and hospitals. The proposed Multipurpose Indoor stadiums with all safety aspects will act as the best places during pandemics or any other emergency situations.

Allocation of an amount of nearly seven hundred crores is not a small deal. While it will spur construction activity and have trickle down impact on local economy, it will also create additional employment opportunities for the local people.

Praising the state government’s efforts, noted industrialist Anand Mahindra has said that “Investments in infrastructure create productive assets and a multiplier effect on economic activity & employment. Infrastructure that can multitask & be deployed during medical & environmental crises (2 greatest future threats) is brilliant”.

We can say that the decision to build Multipurpose Indoor Stadiums, propelled by the 5T Initiatives, will bringing together disaster management and community participation. As youth are associated with most community works, this is going to be the game changer in Odisha’s fight against emergencies. There is no doubt that it will be emulated by other states and nation as well.

“Odisha is one of the most disaster prone states in the country due to its geographical location. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had turned Odisha into one of the best in terms of disaster preparedness and management. Odisha has recently been appreciated for its sports development. It’s the vision of Chief Minister which created this convergence of multiple objectives to be realised through common infrastructure”, told Odisha Sports Secretary R Vineel Krishna exclusively to the Newsroomodisha.com.