Mumbai: Flood-free SRPF ground in Goregaon East paves way for world-class sports complex

Following the upgrade, the SRPF ground in Goregaon East hasn’t witnessed waterlogging issues this monsoon. Pic/Ashish Raje

After remaining waterlogged every monsoon for years, the Maharashtra State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) ground at Goregaon East has stayed flood-free this season following a major drainage upgrade. Riding on the success of the project, the SRPF has now unveiled plans to build a world-class sports complex on its 120-acre campus that will be open not only to police personnel and their families but also to the public.

The SRPF ground, having got a drainage upgrade, is now being developed into a world-class sports complex. Pic/Ashish Raje

The project was initiated by Mumbai SRPF Commandant Avinash Ambure after receiving the approval and guidance of Vijay Magar, DIG, Pune Range, and Rajkumar Vhatkar, ADG, SRPF.

SRPF personnel train on the Goregaon East ground before the recent drainage upgrade ended years of monsoon waterlogging. File pic/Nimesh Dave

Quickview

Location: SRPF campus, Goregaon East
Campus size: 120 acres
Personnel strength: Around 1400
Residential towers
under construction: 7
Families to be accommodated: Around 560
Funding: Police Welfare Fund and sponsorships
Access: SRPF personnel, families, and the public

What changed?

For years, the parade and sports ground remained submerged during the monsoon, disrupting training and sporting activities for months.
The SRPF addressed the problem by...
. Raising the ground level
. Installing a modern drainage system
. Connecting the drainage to the BMC's stormwater network
Result: No waterlogging has been reported on the ground this monsoon.

Why the project?

The SRPF says the sports complex has become necessary because of rapid residential expansion within the campus.
Seven ground+20 residential towers are under construction and will accommodate nearly 560 SRPF families.
Officials say the complex will promote:
. Physical fitness
. Recreation
. Sports training
. Police recruitment preparation
. Community participation

Planned sports facilities

. Two cricket/football turf grounds
. One padel court
. Two pickleball courts
. Basketball court
. Skating rink
. 300-metre running track
. 125-metre synthetic running track for professional athletes
. Long jump facility
. Yoga centre
. Open gym and outdoor fitness area
. Boxing training area
. Karate training area
. Chess zone
. 10-metre rifle shooting range
. Archery facility

Commandant speaks

Avinash Ambure, Mumbai SRPF Commandant
‘This ground used to remain flooded every monsoon, making it unusable for training and sports activities. We decided to permanently solve the problem by raising the ground level and installing a new drainage system connected to the BMC's stormwater network. As a result, there has been no waterlogging on the ground this year. Mumbai has very few public facilities with synthetic running tracks and modern sports infrastructure. This sports complex is being developed for SRPF personnel, their families and the citizens of Mumbai. With seven new residential towers coming up on the campus, hundreds of families will soon move here. They deserve access to quality sports and fitness facilities. The complex will also help our personnel maintain fitness and prepare for various police recruitment and training programmes.'