Chandigarh, November 15, 2025: To expand rural development drives in recent years, the Punjab government has begun constructing more than 3,100 ultra-modern sports grounds across villages under its ‘Har Pind Khel Maidan’ mission—an initiative officials say will reshape rural life and strengthen the state’s campaign against drugs.
Launched under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s leadership, the programme aims to eventually cover all 12,500 villages and is backed by an allocation of ₹1,194 crore, fully funded from the state budget. Officials noted that the first phase marks a shift from sporadic sports projects to a state-wide, mission-mode effort intended to give young people access to modern, structured spaces for physical activity.
Calling the initiative “a decisive intervention for Punjab’s youth,” the government said the project is meant not only to build infrastructure but also to redirect rural energy away from drugs and towards sports. “If we want a healthier Punjab, we must offer young people real alternatives,” a senior official noted, adding that prevention must work alongside policing.
Under the plan, each village’s facility is being tailored according to land availability, with sites ranging from half an acre to four acres. The grounds will house hockey, football, volleyball and cricket pitches, athletics tracks, open-air gyms, and designated areas for yoga, meditation and children’s recreation. Officials described the sites as “wellness hubs” meant to serve multiple generations rather than athletes alone.
Work has already begun in several districts. In Sunam constituency, 29 stadiums worth ₹11.5 crore have been sanctioned, and construction on the first batch of 11 villages—costing ₹5.32 crore—is underway. Authorities have set a three-month turnaround target. Similar progress has been reported in Lehra, where foundation stones for 28 of the planned 40–41 stadiums have been laid. Amritsar district has identified 495 potential sites and started development at 174 of them.
The initiative builds on Punjab’s long sporting legacy, which has produced national and international athletes across disciplines. Officials said the new grounds will strengthen the state’s annual ‘Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan’ sports festivals and will be linked to 260 new talent-spotting nurseries planned across rural areas. “This is how we revive Punjab’s sporting culture—from the village up,” an official said.
One of the notable features of the mission is its maintenance model. Instead of centralised upkeep, the government will hand over operational responsibility to local youth clubs once construction is complete. The state will supply sports equipment free of cost, while village-level organisations will oversee day-to-day maintenance. Authorities said this approach is intended to foster ownership and ensure the facilities remain functional long-term.
Chief Minister Mann said the project is “part of a larger vision to rebuild rural Punjab as centres of health, talent and community life,” emphasising that the government wants every village to feel the impact directly. “We are committed to creating spaces where youth choose discipline, teamwork and fitness,” he said.
With construction underway across multiple districts, officials said the project is already reshaping conversations in villages about sports, youth engagement and community participation. The government described the initiative as a foundational step toward a “Rangla Punjab,” and noted that the mission blends infrastructure, social reform and public health. For rural communities, it represents both a new resource and a renewed sense of possibility.
