Cuttack: Orissa high court has called for a joint effort by authorities to prevent anti-social elements from misusing Satyabrata Stadium ground inside the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected Barabati Fort area in Cuttack.
The HC made the call after the High Court Bar Association (HCBA) sought intervention against Satyabrata Stadium grounds turning into a haven for anti-socials after sunset.
Though declared a protected site in 1915, ASI claimed the Barabati Fort area only in 1989 on the occasion of the millennium celebration of Cuttack. Over 50 per cent of the 100 acres declared protected were by then encroached by govt constructions.
The ASI stepped up its efforts to clear the fort premises in 2005. As part of the retrieval process, the ASI took over part of Satyabrata Stadium, under the department of sports and youth affairs, which was constructed in one part of the premises years after the Orissa Council of Sports came up in 1957.
The ASI initially served notices for demolishing the sports complex to develop a garden and an avenue on the south-eastern side of the historic site. But later decided to allow sports activities in 2007. The decision was made after considering the sentiments of sportspersons and allied organisations.
When the special bench dealing with civic issues in Cuttack had its sitting on Dec 5, HCBA president and head of the Advocates’ Committee Bijay Dash, citing vernacular newspaper reports, alleged that the authorities have turned a blind eye towards illegal activities like consumption of liquor by miscreants inside Satyabrata Stadium grounds.
Taking serious note of it, the bench of Justice Sangam Kumar Sahoo and Justice V Narasingh directed a joint meeting of all stakeholders, including superintending archaeologist of ASI (Puri Circle) Dibishada Brajasundar Garnayak.
Accordingly, the bench directed the Cuttack collector to chair the meeting with deputy commissioner of police (Cuttack) and commissioner of CMC as other participants “to suggest remedial measures to restore the glory of Satyabrata Stadium” when the matter is taken up next on Dec 12.
The bench also said, “To address the immediate issue of Satyabrata Stadium becoming a hub of anti-social activity, the DCP, Cuttack, who appears through virtual mode, is directed to ensure forthwith that no unlawful activities take place within the vicinity of Satyabrata Stadium and regular patrolling shall also be conducted to ensure the same.”
The bench further directed the commissioner CMC to “take immediate steps to ensure that there is proper lighting in the Satyabrata Stadium ground.”