Chandigarh, October 9, 2025: Punjab government has called a “historic investment in rural sports,” with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal on Thursday launching a statewide project to build 3,100 model playgrounds across Punjab’s villages.
The initiative, announced under the Rural Resurgence Project in the 2025–26 state budget, will cost ₹1,194 crore and to create recreational, social, and community spaces in every village.
“This is the first time in Punjab’s history that such a large-scale investment is being made in rural sports infrastructure,” Chief Minister Mann said while laying the foundation stone.
“Our villages don’t lack talent, they only lack facilities. Now we are taking those facilities to them. Every child, no matter where they come from, should have the opportunity to play, grow, and fulfill their dreams.”
Mann said the playgrounds will serve not just children but all age groups, including women and the elderly.
“These will be community spaces that belong to everyone,” he noted.
Arvind Kejriwal, attending the event alongside Mann, said Punjab’s strength lies in its villages. “If villages are strong, Punjab will be strong,” he said.
“In Delhi we worked on education and health; now, in Punjab, we are focusing on sports and youth development. These model playgrounds will become the heart of every village — a place where communities gather, children play, and culture thrives.”
Kejriwal added that the initiative is part of the state’s effort to fight drug abuse among the youth. “When children have a field to play in, they won’t go down the wrong path,” he said.
According to officials, the model playgrounds will include dedicated play areas for children with swings and climbing equipment, football and volleyball fields for sports enthusiasts, and open spaces for local games like kabaddi.
Benches and shaded areas will provide comfort for the elderly, while women’s safety and hygiene have been prioritized through separate, well-maintained toilet facilities.
Each playground will be equipped with high-mast lights to ensure safe play even after sunset. Walking tracks, clean drinking water points, and seating areas will also be standard features. The government said the aim is not only to promote sports but to transform rural grounds into “vibrant and inclusive community centers.”
The rollout will take place in three phases, beginning with 3,100 priority villages. All playgrounds will follow a standard design model to ensure quality and accessibility.
A central digital monitoring dashboard will track real-time progress from the field, allowing quick resolution of issues and timely completion of works.
Playground sizes will vary according to available land and local needs — 964 sites under one acre, 1,107 between one and two acres, 554 between two and three acres, 344 between three and four acres, and 131 larger than four acres.
Officials said this flexibility ensures every village — big or small — receives an appropriate facility.
The Rural Development and Panchayat Department, along with the Sports and Youth Services Department, will oversee implementation. The government said monthly reviews will be conducted, and any department failing to meet deadlines or quality standards will face action.
“This is our promise, our dream, and our responsibility,” Mann said in closing.
“We will give every child of Punjab a place to play and every village a beautiful ground. This is not just a government project — it is an investment in Punjab’s future.”
Kejriwal echoed the sentiment, calling the playground initiative “a gift to future generations.”
He added, “History will remember this day when Punjab chose to invest in its youth, its villages, and its hope.”
