Arunachal: Termination proceedings begin against contractor over Aalo stadium construction delay

Despite a decade having passed and more than Rs 35 crore allocated, the Aalo Outdoor Stadium project in West Siang district remains incomplete, sparking public outcry and administrative action. The Arunachal Pradesh Sports Department has initiated termination proceedings against contractor TK Engineering & Consortium Pvt. Ltd. for failing to complete the project within the stipulated timeframe.

Originally sanctioned under the Special Plan Assistance (SPA) during 2013–14, the stadium faced delays in tender processes due to a transition from the erstwhile Planning Commission to the current NITI Aayog. Construction officially began on March 6, 2017, with a two-year deadline, but progress stagnated at 75% completion over nearly eight years.

Expressing deep concern, Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Kento Jini confirmed the department’s decision to terminate the contract. He highlighted that despite the SPA scheme being delinked by the central government in 2019, the state government continued funding the project, yet results remained unsatisfactory. "In the past decade, Aalo's once-thriving sports culture has deteriorated, with youth turning to antisocial activities," Jini lamented.

Local MLA Topin Ete also voiced strong dissatisfaction, stressing the urgent need to complete the facility to revive sports enthusiasm among local youth.

The Aalo Stadium’s predicament mirrors delays at similar projects in Tezu and Itanagar, both also managed by TK Engineering & Consortium Pvt. Ltd. In contrast, outdoor stadiums in Yupia, Ziro, Pasighat, and Daporijo—executed by the Department of Urban Development & Housing—were completed on time.

Public discontent peaked last year when a Joint Action Committee (JAC) staged a rally demanding expedited completion. The district, historically producing renowned sports figures like Mugdo Ete, Gimjum Bomjen, and Jarsa Gamlin, feels its sporting legacy is being undermined by these delays.

Construction hurdles included a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) and disputes over land rights, delaying the project's commencement until mid-2018. TK Engineering began work in August 2018 with a three-year deadline but cited factors like land handover delays and the COVID-19 pandemic for missing targets. According to Project Manager Naveen Rao, the stadium is designed to FIFA standards with an Astroturf surface and a seating capacity of 4,000, including 200 VIP seats.

Chief Minister Pema Khandu had earlier compared the situation unfavorably to the swift completion of the Donyi Polo Airport, questioning why a stadium could not be built within a reasonable timeframe.

Union Law Minister Kiren Rijiju, during a 2022 site inspection, labeled the project’s sluggish progress "a complete failure," further escalating pressure on responsible parties.

As of now, with termination proceedings underway, the future of Aalo’s long-awaited stadium remains uncertain.