Ludhiana’s neglected Basketball Court turns into ‘Den of Drug Addicts’, Dewan slams civic apathy, demands probe and action
Bahadurjeet Singh/royalpatiala.in News/ Ludhiana, April 5,2026
Former President of the District Congress Committee, Ludhiana (Urban) and Ex-Chairman of the Punjab Large Industrial Development Board, Pawan Dewan has drawn the attention of the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation and the district administration to the shocking state of the unfinished Basketball Court near the Sidwan Canal Flyover (ROB) on Pakhowal Road, Ludhiana. Dewan stated that what was once envisioned as a hub of youth activity and sporting spirit has now degenerated into a safe haven for “drug addicts” and “beggars”.
In a strongly worded statement issued today, Dewan underscored that the incomplete project is not merely an abandoned structure—it has become a glaring monument to administrative apathy, wasted public funds and the collapse of civic responsibility. He further said that what was once promised as a vibrant space for youth and community has instead degenerated into a nightmare for residents and shopkeepers. “The surroundings have been reduced to a hub of filth and neglect, posing a grave danger of disease outbreak in the area,” Dewan remarked.
Dewan also revealed what he described as truly shocking accounts from area resident Nirbhai Singh Ranguwal. “I was told by Ranguwal and other local residents that drug addicts and unscrupulous elements have gone so far as to put their own lock on the gate of this incomplete basketball court—brazenly converting a public facility into their private den”, he stated.
Dewan said that inquiries have revealed that the project, launched nearly three years ago with the noble aim of encouraging children and youth towards sports, remains incomplete to this day. “Instead of emerging as a center of activity and inspiration, the site has deteriorated into a menace—posing a serious threat to public health and heightening the risk of untoward incidents for the entire neighborhood,” he concluded.
Expressing deep apprehensions about possible untoward incidents arising from the drug addicts and unscrupulous elements who have virtually taken over the site, Dewan demanded that the Ludhiana Municipal Commissioner should immediately order a probe into the matter to identify lapses and initiate strict action against all those found guilty. “Besides, the project must be revived and completed without delay so that it can finally serve its intended purpose of engaging the youth in sports activities,” he stressed. Dewan further urged the district administration to ensure deployment of police personnel at the site to reclaim the space from anti‑social elements.
