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PUNE: The shotgun range at the Shiv Chhatrapati sports complex in Balewadi, the only one in Maharashtra, could soon be moved out as the authorities don’t find it safe to run it anymore.
The range, which was built in 2008 for the Commonwealth Youth Games, is the only shotgun facility in Maharashtra and has ranges and machines for skeet, trap and double trap shooting.
The state sports department is contemplating to move the shotgun range to the outskirts of the city and bringing in a cricket facility in its place.
The range was used during the Khelo India Youth Games last year and has not been utilized since.
Despite being a world-class facility, the range has a major flaw, which limited its use since it was built.
The range faces a five-star hotel along with an international school. The shotgun bullets have steel balls in them. They reach the hotel and school premises. Being the Khelo India hosts, Balewadi authorities had got a tin wall erected to stop the steel balls going to the hotel and school.
However, the tin wall came down due to wind and rain and shooting stopped again.
The range, spread across approximately 6 acres, will be converted into a cricket ground. A proposal has been sent to the government of Maharashtra last month. Other than the shotgun range, the complex has 10m, 25m and 50m shooting ranges, which are being utilized well.
The complex at present hosts over 11 sporting disciplines, including hockey, however, it never had a cricket facility.
“We have sent a proposal to convert the shot gun range area into a cricket facility. In the first phase, we are planning to develop a ground along with a pavilion for two teams. In the later stages, we may construct some seating areas too,” state sports commissioner Om Prakash Bakoria told TOI.
He added that continuing shotgun shooting will not be possible now.
“There have been many problems operating a shotgun range. Earlier, it was the hotel and school, but soon there will be a metro station near the range, so shooting will have to stop,” he added.
Bakoria said the whole process will take time as the proposal is being drafted. “We will also look for a place in the outskirts of the city to shift the shotgun facility. It will be done only when the proposal is approved and we find a suitable place to shift the facility,” Bakoria added.
The range, which was built in 2008 for the Commonwealth Youth Games, is the only shotgun facility in Maharashtra and has ranges and machines for skeet, trap and double trap shooting.
The state sports department is contemplating to move the shotgun range to the outskirts of the city and bringing in a cricket facility in its place.
The range was used during the Khelo India Youth Games last year and has not been utilized since.
Despite being a world-class facility, the range has a major flaw, which limited its use since it was built.
The range faces a five-star hotel along with an international school. The shotgun bullets have steel balls in them. They reach the hotel and school premises. Being the Khelo India hosts, Balewadi authorities had got a tin wall erected to stop the steel balls going to the hotel and school.
However, the tin wall came down due to wind and rain and shooting stopped again.
The range, spread across approximately 6 acres, will be converted into a cricket ground. A proposal has been sent to the government of Maharashtra last month. Other than the shotgun range, the complex has 10m, 25m and 50m shooting ranges, which are being utilized well.
The complex at present hosts over 11 sporting disciplines, including hockey, however, it never had a cricket facility.
“We have sent a proposal to convert the shot gun range area into a cricket facility. In the first phase, we are planning to develop a ground along with a pavilion for two teams. In the later stages, we may construct some seating areas too,” state sports commissioner Om Prakash Bakoria told TOI.
He added that continuing shotgun shooting will not be possible now.
“There have been many problems operating a shotgun range. Earlier, it was the hotel and school, but soon there will be a metro station near the range, so shooting will have to stop,” he added.
Bakoria said the whole process will take time as the proposal is being drafted. “We will also look for a place in the outskirts of the city to shift the shotgun facility. It will be done only when the proposal is approved and we find a suitable place to shift the facility,” Bakoria added.
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