Kolhapur: Khasbag Maidan, the famous wrestling arena built by Rajarshi Shahu Maharaj, is in very poor shape today due to the apathy of the Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC). In recent years, the KMC has spend around Rs30 lakh on installation of the jumping lawn grass in the public seating area. Today, the grass is nearly eight feet tall and a lot unwanted weeds can be seen growing alongside. In the last week of July, a portion of the retaining wall of the wrestling ground collapsed, in which Ashwini Ananda Yadav (59), a resident of Sai Park Bhosalewadi, Kolhapur, died while Sandhya Prashant Teli (28), a resident of Vadange village, sustained serious injuries. Ramesh More, a member of the Kolhapur city and district civic action committee, said, Crores spent on the Khasbag Maidan are wasted. Historical and heritage structures have been destroyed by the KMC in the name of unnecessary development. A few years ago, Rs 10 crore was sanctioned for the development of the Keshavrao Bhosale Natyagruha and the Khasbag Maidan. A jumping lawn was installed in the Khasbag Maidans spectator gallery. At present, eight feet tall grass can be seen here. Where has the jumping lawn gone? The Kolhapur civic body should stop misusing funds, added More.Speaking about this, KMC additional commissioner Ravikant Adsul said, Routine maintenance of the jumping lawn grass couldnt be carried out, due to which the sitting gallery is currently covered with tall grass and unwanted weeds. Once the monsoon ends, the KMC will remove this grass immediately. The jumping lawn grass was installed nearly eight years back and was maintained properly in its first four years. Unfortunately, it hasnt been maintained the way it should have been recently.History of Khasbag MaidanHistory researcher Ram Yadav said, Rajarshi Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj built the largest wrestling ground in India, which was not only used for wrestling but also was an open theater. Wrestling, mens games, circus, drama, music events were held here. By the end of 1912, the construction of the maidan was completed. A strong stone wall was built scientifically around the ground. The interior arena was filled with soil and designed such that anyone sitting anywhere in the field could easily see the events at the centre. This wrestling ground became world famous during his time, added Yadav.

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