Sports facilities set up under flyovers in Ludhiana get mixed reactions

In an innovative move to repurpose unused space, the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation has developed sports courts under city flyovers to promote sports culture among the city’s youth. However, the facility has received mixed reactions from residents and sports enthusiasts alike.

Basketball courts have been set up beneath the flyover near BRS Nagar along the Sidhwan Canal, while badminton and basketball courts have been developed under the Lakkar Bridge overpass. A new sports court is also under construction at Jalandhar by-pass.

The concept of transforming flyover spaces into sports courts was inspired by a viral video showcasing similar developments in Mumbai. Ludhiana’s MLA, Madan Lal Bagga, highlighted that the initiative was inspired by similar efforts in cities like Delhi, Bihar, Assam, Kerala and Indore—where the first such facility was launched in 2021.

For Kunal, a regular basketball player at the BRS Nagar court, the facility is a welcome addition. “I usually play after 7 pm when traffic noise is low. My friends and I practice here because there’s very little open space in the city and parks are usually crowded with walkers,” he shared.

Gunjeet, a badminton enthusiast, echoed Kunal’s sentiments. She often visits the badminton courts with her daughter. “The initiative is commendable as it makes good use of the space and encourages sports. Earlier, the area under the Sidhwan Canal flyover was intended to be developed as a food street, but choosing sports over food is a much better option,” she said.

However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Gurbaksh Singh, a senior citizen and former volleyball player, is critical of the courts. He believes that sports should be played in open spaces with fresh air and ample room to run and exercise.

“These courts are a poor substitute for real sports. How can anyone play in such cramped spaces, surrounded by the constant noise of honking vehicles? Moreover, the air quality is poor with so much pollution around,” he lamented.

Tarundeep Kaur, a sports lover working in the private sector, also sees the value in encouraging children to spend more time outdoors, away from screens. “The concept of sports courts under flyovers is good, but it would have been ideal to plan larger, more spacious grounds specific to the needs of each sport,” she said.

While the initiative has the potential to make sports more accessible, the question remains: can these flyover courts truly serve the needs of the city’s sports enthusiasts? The answer might depend on finding a balance between convenience and quality for athletes at all levels.

Ludhiana