Delilah D’Souza
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, May 14: Breathing new life into the city’s football scene, the iconic Nehru Maidan Football Ground in Mangaluru is undergoing a major transformation with the installation of astro turf at an estimated cost of Rs 2.50 crore. The project is being implemented by Mangaluru Smart City Limited (MSCL) as part of its efforts to enhance urban infrastructure.
Located in the heart of the city, Nehru Maidan is the only major public space available for football and related events. Its facelift has been welcomed by sports enthusiasts who see it as a step towards reviving football culture in the coastal region.
The development includes laying astro turf over layers of gravel and fine aggregate, aiming at reducing injuries and providing a professional playing surface. The ground will also be enclosed with a chain-link fence, while the existing audience gallery is set to receive a temporary makeover.
Football lovers believe this upgrade will allow the city to host national and state-level tournaments. The Dakshina Kannada Football Association has noted that astro turf is now a basic requirement to conduct professional matches. The association also highlighted the urgent need to restore football infrastructure, pointing that only a handful of grounds remain – mostly within college campuses such as St Aloysius, NITK, Nitte, Yenepoya and Fisheries College. Most educational institutions lack standard play areas, which has limited opportunities for budding footballers.
Interestingly, Nehru Maidan had once faced the risk of losing its sporting status. A proposal by the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) to build temporary shops for Central Market vendors on the ground was halted following a legal challenge. The high court later ruled that the space must be preserved for sports activities, effectively ending plans for non-sporting use.
The turf installation, which began over a month ago, is expected to be completed by the end of May. Post-completion, officials plan to maintain the turf for at least a year while working on a sustainable upkeep model.
The revamped Nehru Maidan is expected to boost Mangaluru’s sports ecosystem and serve as a venue for major tournaments such as the Independence Day Cup, Ahmed Master Memorial Tournament, and Palli Jayaram Shetty Memorial Trophy, among others.