Decade of Delay: Land donated for Sports Complex in Jampui remains unused
Agartala, Feb 21: A decade-long stalemate over 6.12 acres of donated community land has left the residents of Jampui Hill questioning the fate of local sports infrastructure. What began as a hopeful community contribution in 2014 remains an empty plot, caught in the gears of shifting government schemes.
In 2014, villagers contributed 6.12 acres for construction of a Block Level Sports Complex under the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan (RGKA). Despite completion of formalities and initial groundwork, the infrastructure has yet to take shape.
According to official sources, the Jampui Hill RD Block identified the site following instructions from the Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of Tripura. In response, the Vanghmun Village Council, the Young Mizo Association (YMA) Vanghmun Branch, and the Jampui Orange Growers Co-operative Society jointly donated land situated within one kilometre of the Block Office. The contribution comprised 3 acres under Vanghmun Mouja, 2.12 acres under Tlakish Mouja, and 1 acre under Paschim Hmunpui Mouja.
The land was officially transferred to the Youth Affairs and Sports Department through a registered deed on September 30, 2015. Mutation formalities were subsequently completed, and ownership was recorded in the department’s name. Preliminary site development and levelling work were carried out under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA).
However, before the sanctioned amount of ₹1.6 crore—equally allocated for indoor and outdoor facilities—could be utilised, the RGKA scheme was discontinued. As a result, the project was shelved, leaving the donated land vacant for over a decade.
Local residents have expressed dissatisfaction, stating that valuable community reserve land was handed over with the expectation of improved sports infrastructure. Community leaders are now urging the state government to initiate a fresh project to develop an outdoor football ground with artificial turf, a roofed gallery with 5,000 seating capacity, proper boundary fencing, and an indoor stadium equipped with at least two badminton courts.
In a renewed effort, the Jampui RD Block has recently submitted a detailed proposal along with cost estimates for an Indoor Sports Hall and Sports Complex under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) to the Minority Welfare Department.
Supporting the initiative, Dr. Zairemthiama Pachuau, General Secretary of the Mizo Convention, said timely approval from the government and proactive follow-up with the Central Ministry would be crucial for its execution. He observed that Jampui Hill has significant sporting talent, but the absence of adequate facilities has hindered progress. With proper infrastructure, he added, the region could bring pride to both Tripura and the country.