Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 22 December 2023
The sole public gym serving the residents of Great Nicobar Island, operated by the Gram Panchayat, Campbell Bay, faces alarming disrepair, raising serious concerns about user safety and accessibility.
A recent assessment reveals a dire state of affairs within the gym premises. The majority of the equipment lies in non-functional disarray due to a chronic lack of maintenance. Vital machinery reliant on cables has succumbed to disuse, with broken cables left unattended, exacerbating the dysfunctionality.
Even fundamental fitness gear like dumbbells is notably absent, severely limiting the workout options for gym-goers. The deteriorating state of the equipment poses a significant risk to individuals engaging in exercise, increasing the likelihood of accidents should any apparatus malfunction during use.
Amid a global surge in health consciousness, the demand for fitness facilities has intensified, prompting more individuals to utilize gyms. However, the negligence in maintaining these essential amenities in Campbell Bay stands in stark contrast to this growing need.
Authorities should emphasise the criticality of regular equipment upkeep to ensure user safety. Urgent steps must be taken to overhaul and modernise the gym’s inventory, highlighting the pressing need for timely equipment upgrades.
Furthermore, echoing the sentiments of residents, there’s a widespread call for additional fitness infrastructure across Great Nicobar Island. The establishment of gyms within other Panchayat jurisdictions is urged to enhance the convenience and accessibility of fitness facilities for local inhabitants.
In tandem with demands for fitness facilities, the community has long advocated for the construction of a versatile multi-purpose hall. Such a facility would enable year-round engagement in sports activities, regardless of weather conditions. Residents urge authorities to heed this plea and consider integrating a modern gym within the proposed multi-purpose hall, catering to the public’s fitness needs.
The dilapidation of the Campbell Bay gym serves as a pressing reminder of the imperative to prioritise public health and fitness infrastructure in the region.