Govt: No tiger threat, Sindewahi sports complex up and running

Nagpur: The state govt on Monday rejected allegations that Taluka Krida Sankul in Sindewahi in Chandrapur district has become non-functional due to tiger menace from adjacent forests, telling the Maharashtra legislative council that the facility is operational and undergoing a Rs10 crore upgrade.The denial came in response to a starred question raised by MLCs Abhijit Wanjarri, Sudhakar Adbale and others, who alleged that the complex has been rendered unusable since January 2026 because tigers and other wild animals from nearby dense forests deterred local players from training there. The MLCs also raised concerns about pending construction work, absence of a basketball court, lack of transport access, and funds lying unspent for 5 years.
Deputy CM Sunetra Pawar, who responded on behalf of the govt, said the complex was established in 2010 and its badminton has already been complete, with players regularly practising there. She said the complex is located just 1 km from Sindewahi town and is connected by a metalled road, adding that players, sports enthusiasts and nature lovers face no difficulty reaching it.Pawar said revised administrative sanction of Rs10 crore for the complex has been granted. Work on a hockey astro turf and a 400-metre running track is under way. Of the Rs3 crore released under the revised sanction, Rs1 crore has been disbursed, and various sports facilities are being developed based on available funds.On the boundary wall allegation, the govt said protection walls and iron mesh fencing are already in place. A 30-year-old section collapsed due to heavy rains, and estimates and a budget were being drawn up before a proposal was submitted to the district planning committee after technical approval.On the issue of basketball ground, govt said cement flooring was upgraded and mobile basketball poles were procured by the sports complex committee for regular play.