Union youth affairs and sports minister MS Gill today said the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium near here would be spruced up and necessary repair works carried out at a cost of rs eight crore.
He said he would soon initiate steps to ensure `more intensive use of the infrastructure situated on an extent of 25 acres here` (at Uppalam).
Gill, who also visited the Indira Gandhi sports complex, told reporters that it was an old cinder track and it would be converted into a synthetic track. He also had a look at the hockey turf. He announced Rs5 lakh as grant to the Youth Hostel in Puducherry to carry out repair works.
Gill said the hostel constructed on a two acre site was a premier property and was in a `bad condition`. He also requested chief minister V Vaithilingam to arrange for works for improvement of the premises.
He said he had asked the joint secretary in his ministry over phone after inspecting the hostel to make arrangements for Rs five lakh for repair works on premises of the hostel.
Gill was in Puducherry since yesterday holding talks with officials of Nehru Yuva Kendra and also sports and education department.
He also announced that the post of warden in the hostel, which was vacant now, would also be filled soon from among retired Indian army personnel such as captain or Major or other officer living in Puducherry.
Describing the hostel as one of `the best properties` accommodating fifty persons including some foreigners, he said it would also be given an improved green ambience.
