Kolkata sports zones could be created beneath flyovers and bridges under a proposed West Bengal government plan to convert underused urban spaces into facilities for games and recreation, according to a report by Sanmarg. The proposal is aimed at expanding access to sports in a city where open land for playgrounds is limited.
Under the plan, vacant areas below flyovers and bridges would be assessed for conversion into organised sports zones. The available report does not identify the locations being considered, the number of facilities planned or the department that would oversee their development.
The proposal addresses a persistent challenge in dense urban neighbourhoods: the shortage of easily accessible grounds for children, teenagers and young adults. Spaces beneath elevated infrastructure are often difficult to use because of poor maintenance, inadequate lighting, waste accumulation or concerns over safety. The government plan would seek to give such areas a defined public use rather than leave them unmanaged.
Football, cricket and other local sports could be accommodated in the proposed zones, although the final list of activities has not been released. If implemented, facilities located close to residential areas could allow young people to take part in regular physical activity without travelling long distances to reach formal playgrounds or sports complexes.
The plan also links recreation with the management of public infrastructure. Organising the spaces could help address garbage accumulation and unauthorised activities reported in some under-flyover areas. However, the creation of a usable sports facility would require more than the installation of playing surfaces. Lighting, sanitation, security, drainage, access, equipment and regular maintenance would determine whether the spaces remain safe and functional after construction.
Coordination between government departments and local civic bodies is expected to be important if the proposal moves forward. Authorities would need to establish responsibility for land access, design approvals, construction, daily operations and upkeep. The available report does not provide details of the proposed budget, funding source or administrative structure.
The initiative also raises practical questions about how spaces beneath different types of infrastructure would be selected. Clearance, height, traffic conditions, noise, air quality and the movement of maintenance vehicles could affect whether a site is suitable for sports use. No technical selection criteria or construction guidelines have been published in the supplied report.
The government has not yet disclosed a project timeline, the first locations to be developed or the expected completion dates. The detailed scope of the Kolkata sports zones plan will become clearer once the authorities release information on selected sites, financing, design standards and the agencies responsible for implementation.
