Under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government has launched a historic and transformative initiative aimed at permanently reshaping the rural landscape of the state. This ambitious project, named ‘Har Pind Khel Maidan’ (a playground in every village), is not just about building infrastructure—it is a decisive step towards realising the dream of a ‘Rangla Punjab’. Implemented in mission mode, the scheme aims to provide Punjab’s youth with a healthy, disciplined, and promising future. It promises to bring a new dawn and transform the heartbeat of rural Punjab.
The most important objective of this unprecedented project is to strengthen the state government’s “war against drugs” at the grassroots level. The government clearly understands that punitive action alone is not enough to break the backbone of drug abuse—providing youth with a positive and attractive alternative is equally essential. This initiative is a powerful and creative effort to channel the immense energy of rural youth towards sports, steering them away from the trap of drugs. It is an excellent model of social reform, motivating young people to choose health, discipline, and teamwork over substance abuse.
The seriousness of the Punjab Government toward this visionary plan is evident from the massive budget allocation of ₹1,194 crore. This major investment, entirely funded by the state budget, shows how strongly the government prioritises rural development and youth welfare. In the first phase of the project, ultra-modern sports grounds will be built in nearly 3,100 villages across the state. This is only the beginning, as the government’s final goal is to equip all 12,500 villages of Punjab with similar sports grounds—an unprecedented milestone.
Punjab has a proud history of producing national-level sportspersons. The ‘Har Pind Khel Maidan’ initiative is a concrete effort to revive this golden legacy and take it to new heights. These grounds will not just be places to play; they will serve as nurseries of talent from where future champions will emerge. This initiative will give a strong foundation to the highly successful ‘Khedan Vatan Punjab Diyan’ sports festivals. Additionally, 260 new “sports nurseries” will be set up around these grounds to ensure early identification and nurturing of rural talent.
The concept of these “ultra-modern” stadiums goes far beyond traditional playgrounds. Depending on the needs of each village and available land, these facilities will be developed on plots ranging from 0.5 to 4 acres. They will include high-quality pitches for hockey, football, volleyball, and cricket, along with athletics tracks. Importantly, they have been designed as multi-generational wellness hubs, with open-air gyms, dedicated spaces for yoga and meditation, children’s play areas, and special zones for senior citizens.
This plan is not limited to paperwork—the work on the ground has already begun rapidly in mission mode. For example, in the Sunam constituency, 29 stadiums costing ₹11.5 crore have been planned; construction in the first 11 villages, costing ₹5.32 crore, has already started and is targeted for completion in a record 3 months. The cost of these projects ranges from ₹23.94 lakh to ₹117.16 lakh, reflecting customisation based on local needs. Similarly, in the Lehra constituency, 40–41 stadiums are planned, with foundation stones laid for 28 of them. In Amritsar district, 495 potential sites have been identified and development work has already begun at 174 locations.
One of the most innovative and visionary aspects of this project is its maintenance model. The government is not stopping at construction and supplying free sports equipment—it is transferring real ownership of these assets to the villages. After construction, the responsibility for operating and maintaining the grounds will be given to local youth clubs. This is an excellent step that will foster community ownership and pride. It will ensure that these facilities remain well-maintained for decades, protecting the state’s investment of ₹1,194 crore.
The ‘Har Pind Khel Maidan’ initiative marks a historic moment in Punjab’s development journey. It simultaneously achieves several goals—it acts as a strong shield against drugs, a launchpad for sporting talent, and a social hub for rural communities. It brings to life the vision of ‘Badalde Pind, Badalda Punjab’ (changing villages, changing Punjab). Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab Government has demonstrated that it does not merely make promises—it is delivering concrete action on the ground to realise its vision of a Fit Punjab, Prosperous Punjab.
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