Ludhiana civic body unveils new table tennis complex under Smart City Mission

Ludhiana: After years of delays and phased construction, city's long-awaited table tennis complex was handed over by the civic body, finally, on Wednesday, as a modern facility to promote the sport and encourage youth participation. Built under the Smart City Mission for ₹1.61 crore, the project aims to also deter drug use among youth by drawing them to fitness and physical activity.
The facility spans 3,800 square feet on the ground floor with six playing tables and a larger 7,000 square feet first floor featuring 12 tables. Both halls are fully air-conditioned, offering a comfortable environment for players. A visitor gallery with seating for 150 spectators ensures space for public engagement during tournaments and events. "This initiative is part of our goal to provide world-class infrastructure to local players and promote Ludhiana as a sporting hub," said a civic official. "It's not just about facilities — it's about nurturing talent and building a culture of sportsmanship."
Municipal commissioner Aaditya Dachalwal echoed the sentiment, highlighting the project's role in steering the youth towards healthy pursuits and away from drugs. "This complex will promote sports activities and help in youth development," he said, adding that the remaining upgradation of sports infrastructure across the city would be completed soon. The facility was inaugurated formally by mayor Inderjit Kaur, commissioner Dachalwal, and Rajya Sabha MP Sanjeev Arora.
Previously, table tennis players only had access to a single room at Shastri Hall. The new complex is part of a broader sports overhaul initiated during the tenure of former cabinet minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu, who convened special meetings with sports associations to ensure better infrastructure planning and delivery. The project was completed in two phases, with civil work beginning in Aug 2021 and completed in 2023. The second phase, which included furniture and equipment, started in Sept 2024.
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