Shillong: An ambitious attempt by the State Sports Council of Meghalaya (SSCM) to upgrade and beautify the Second Ground at Polo has instead led to unforeseen problems, leaving the once-popular playing field unusable for weeks.
The ground, which falls under the supervision of the Shillong Recreation Ground Trust (SRGT), has been severely affected by waterlogging following recent heavy rainfall. According to local users, the issue began after drains and natural outlets surrounding the field were filled or blocked with soil during the so-called improvement work.
As a result, even a brief downpour now floods the entire area, turning the surface into a muddy swamp. What was meant to improve the facility has instead made it inaccessible to the many young people, athletes, and fitness enthusiasts who used to frequent the ground for football practice, running, and recreational sports.
Even on sunny days, the field remains soggy and muddy, said Danny Pariat, Secretary of the Shillong Recreation Ground Trust.
The drainage has been completely compromised, and unless immediate corrective measures are taken, the ground will remain unfit for use, he added.
The project, which aimed to enhance the aesthetics and usability of the field, has now highlighted the need for better planning and coordination between the agencies involved. For many in Shillong’s sporting community, the Polo Second Ground was one of the few accessible public spaces for physical activity and its present state has come as a major disappointment.
#PoloGround #Shillong #SportsCouncil #Waterlogging #GroundIssue #MeghalayaSports #SRGT #YouthSports #InfrastructureFlaw #PublicConcern
