A State-wide Campaign of Public Sports Grounds: Lifeblood of Community Recreation in Bihar
Across Bihar, an extensive public works initiative under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has led to the construction of a vast network of multi-use sports grounds. Initiated by Rural Development Department and inaugurated by the Honourable Chief Minister during official visits, these facilities are predominantly housed within school campuses, with several established at standalone public sites. The campaign emphasizes durable, accessible spaces that promote health, social cohesion, and inclusive participation at the grassroots level. Nearly 5,000 sports grounds have been built, spanning approximately 4,716 panchayats across Bihar. The majority are located within school campuses to align with daily student routines and education, while a significant number are situated at public sites outside schools. To provide safe, multi-use spaces for running tracks, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and general fitness activities for youth, students, and community members.
Stories of Impact and Community Ownership
Here, the story of every block and panchayat can be written. Each story is a success story, but I am mentioning what I personally observed. The first playground that the Honourable Chief Minister inaugurated during his tour was the Saundarpur village in Kesaria block, East Champaran district. This school and the people around it are making full use of it.
Pan-State Campaign and Local Stories: Across Bihar, the grounds have fostered school-based engagement where enrolled students share the space with neighbourhood youth and non-student residents, particularly in evenings. Grounds located outside school campuses have given rise to formal sports clubs managed by local panchayats or clubs themselves, illustrating diverse models of community stewardship. In many locations, benches and seating were provided through Panchayati Raj Department funds, underscoring coordinated planning between district authorities and local residents. Notable examples include Dhruv Lakhoura (Motihari block, East Champaran). In some places, communities organized seating arrangements independently, demonstrating grassroots initiative and ownership example include Dhokraha (Majhauliya, Paschim Champaran)
Story of Basudev Higher Secondary School, Simari, Singhwara Block, Darbhanga: A modern sports ground funded under MGNREGA has become a vibrant centre for recreation, sports, and community engagement. It features a running track and courts for basketball, volleyball, and badminton, supporting daily use by students and neighbours. In addition to regular schooling, the space now accommodates Home Guard training sessions, integrating military preparedness with youth development. The facility, built with about 9.95 lakh rupees, reflects thoughtful planning that prioritizes health, discipline, and inclusivity. Inaugurated by the state’s Chief Minister, the ground stands as a model of local governance and public goods that benefit both school communities and the broader neighbourhood.
The overarching aim is to channel youthful energy into constructive pursuits, reducing the allure of substances by providing engaging, inclusive activities. Bihar’s commitment to creating accessible sports infrastructure aligns with broader goals of promoting health, reducing risk behaviours, and nurturing talent. Grounds are designed to serve diverse user groups—students, neighbourhood youth, girls, marginalized communities, and differently-abled individuals—ensuring broad participation and social inclusion. The blend of state leadership, local participation, and community-managed governance models showcases how public funds can yield durable public goods. Regular maintenance, community oversight, and structured programs help sustain these spaces as ongoing assets.
Ground scheme span a range of budgets, with many facilities constructed using MGNREGA funds complemented by state support. The total estimated cost of the playground schemes was 52,192 lakh rupees. From its selection to its physical progress, and even the inspections, a separate web portal has been created to monitor and is being used for tracking. This blended financing model underscores practical public investment in youth development, fitness, and community wellness.
Bihar’s state-wide drive to build and utilize sports grounds—primarily within school campuses and complemented by standalone public spaces—has yielded meaningful, observable benefits in health, education, social cohesion, and youth empowerment. The initiative, supported by state leadership and vibrant local participation, demonstrates how public spaces can be transformed into durable engines of health, education, and social unity. Bihar is often described as a “dry state” in terms of alcohol prohibition and strict controls on alcohol availability. The government’s public-health and youth-empowerment initiatives, including the state-wide drive to build multi-use sports grounds, will reduce risk behaviours and promote healthier lifestyles among young people. As the state continues its efforts, these grounds hold the promise of turning recreation into a catalyst for healthier lifestyles, stronger communities, and a brighter future for Bihar’s youth.
