Jaipur: The Union Football Club (UFC) has accused Jaipur Development Authority (JDA) officials of failing to adequately secure its historic ground during restoration work, alleging that the lack of a permanent boundary wall has led to repeated trespassing, damage to the newly laid turf and loss of equipment.In a letter to JDA Commissioner Siddharth Mahajan, the club said work on the ground resumed without proper fencing, allowing unauthorised entry onto the premises. The club alleged that miscreants threw bottles and garbage on the newly laid grass and damaged facilities.Club secretary Mahipal Swami said the JDA was expected to construct a concrete boundary wall but had instead installed synthetic netting, parts of which have since been removed.“What’s more frustrating is that with no walls and gates, people and miscreants are entering the ground round the clock. This has already damaged the newly laid grass. It is a clear case of JDA engineers’ apathy towards this century-old club,” stated Swami, who met Mahajan Thursday.Swami also alleged that a submersible pump, chairs and pipes meant for goalposts went missing after being kept in a temporary room on the premises.The club has further sought compensatory plantation for at least 150 trees it claims were felled during the construction of the underground parking facility beneath the ground. Swami alleged that the memorandum of understanding between the club and the JDA permitted the removal of only 10 trees.JDA officials began constructing a permanent boundary wall at the site Friday. “The construction work was halted for a while before we convinced them and resumed,” an engineer stated.Founded on April 9, 1898, Union Football Club is among the country’s oldest football clubs.
