Renovation of synthetic track yet to be completed for Kerala School Olympics

Kochi: As preparations continue for the first Kerala State School Olympics, concerns are growing over the timely completion of the synthetic track renovation at Maharaja's College grounds. The event is set to begin on November 4 and delays could pose an issue for the athletics competition.

Athletic competitions, the star events of the School Olympics, are scheduled to take place at the Maharaja's College grounds, where the synthetic track is currently being rebuilt. The reconstruction is currently in progress, with the second layer of the track being laid down. Once this is complete, the final layer will need to be applied, along with necessary markings.

The contract for the track renovation had been given to a Hyderabad-based company, Great Sports, at a cost of Rs 5.48 crore. A team of 30 people, including 20 workers and 10 technicians, is working on the site daily. The renovation project began last March, involving the complete demolition of the old synthetic track and construction of a surrounding fence.

Project Engineer Noufal Sainuddeen stated that the rubber cover placed after the first layer prevents rainwater from seeping through. However, he noted that continuous rain could hinder the drying process of the track, which is essential for completing the marking work.

Continuous downpour causes disruptions

The goal is to finish the synthetic track renovation by October 30, in time for the event. However, heavy rainfall has complicated the schedule, leading the government to expedite the work. Organisers of the School Olympics are openly worried about meeting the deadline, as each layer must dry properly to ensure a quality surface for the athletes.