A mini stadium project initiated in Kaladi Mammudu near Thiruvattaar village in Kanyakumari district has come under criticism after allegations that the facility, sanctioned at a cost of around ₹3 crore, has seen little progress even after nearly two years.
The project falls within the Padmanabhapuram Assembly constituency represented by Tamil Nadu Minister Mano Thangaraj. According to local residents, the mini stadium was announced as part of a development initiative by the Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority, with funds reportedly allocated for the construction and basic infrastructure of the facility.
However, residents say that despite the allocation of approximately ₹3 crore for the project, only minimal preliminary work has been carried out so far. Large portions of the land remain dug up, and the site has reportedly been left incomplete for an extended period without significant construction activity.
Locals have also raised concerns that several trees that previously stood on the site, including government-owned trees, were cut down during the early stages of the project, with questions being raised about their subsequent disposal.
Recent activity at the site has reportedly increased following the scheduled visit of Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin to the area. Residents claim that some minor work has begun only in the days leading up to the visit, including the hurried laying of a running track.
According to people familiar with the project, the original tender conditions required the work to commence within 270 days. However, nearly three years after the project was first initiated, only a small structure has reportedly been built, while other basic facilities expected in a sports complex — including a proper running track and usable sporting infrastructure — remain absent.
The condition of the mini stadium has raised questions among residents about the progress of sports infrastructure projects in the region and the effectiveness of their implementation. The issue has also begun to feature in local political discussions ahead of the 2026 Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, with residents expressing concerns about the pace and quality of development works in the constituency.
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