Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 06:
Constructed amidst great hype and with high expectation to provide the much needed facilities to aspiring sportspersons, the velodrome at the Khuman Lampak sports complex has developed cracks, particularly on the eastern side.
The velodrome and other sports structure in the complex under the administrative wing of Department of Youth Affairs and Sports was completed in 1999 for the 30th National Games at Imphal.
Besides the crack, suspected to have developed due to plantation of eucalyptus trees near velodrome, water has also begun to seep through the concrete structure at the velodrome's entrance resulting in growth of moss and wet surface.
YAS officials aired innocence on the cracks when they were apprised on the matter.
Whether it was due to substandard construction materials or engineering flaws is also yet to be ascertained,' he said and hastened to add that reports on the velodrome cracks was yet to received by the department.
Without confirming that planting eucalyptus near the velodrome is responsible for the developments, the officials remarked that the plant definitely requires abundant water and excess draining of the natural fluid might have led to disturbances in the bases of the velodrome.
According to comment of a hydro-geologist construction of heavy structures and their safety depends on soil composition of the site.
He also assumed that unstatic soil composition, disturbance in ground, water level and lack of depth during construction work of the velodrome might be some Of the reason for the cracks.
The geologist also disclosed that Manipur's location in earthquake prone zone and with mild tremors occurring almost every day might have disturbed the base of the structure.
He, however, attributed frequent case of road caving due to roadside plantation of the tree.
According to a botanist's points excess seeping of water by eucalyptus trees have even withered other trees planted nearby.