CM Mann Announces Major Development Works at Kila Raipur Games
February 19, 2026
etnews / Ludhiana
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann inaugurated the historic Kila Raipur Rural Olympics on Thursday, marking the grand return of traditional bullock cart races after a 13-year legal hiatus. Addressing a massive gathering at Grewal Stadium, the Chief Minister described sports as the "most lethal weapon" against the state's drug menace and committed to a significant hike in the upcoming provincial sports budget.
The revival follows the unanimous passage of the ‘Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Punjab Amendment) Act, 2025’ in the state assembly last July. Mann emphasized that his government amended the law specifically to restore this integral piece of rural heritage, which previous administrations had allowed to languish. He noted that the sight of farmers raising bulls "like their own sons" reflects the deep cultural and spiritual roots of Punjab’s agrarian society.
Beyond the races, the Chief Minister announced a comprehensive development package for Kila Raipur. The state will spend ₹1.5 crore to widen the village circular road and nearly ₹1 crore to develop the local pond using the sustainable Seechewal Model. Additional funds totaling ₹2.1 crore will facilitate a modern library and a new six-a-side hockey astroturf to encourage professional training among local youth.
The administration’s "New Sports Policy 2023" serves as the backbone of this transformation. Mann highlighted that the government is currently constructing stadiums in every village to ensure that children "sweat it out on the field" rather than falling into the trap of addiction. He claimed that the success of three seasons of "Khedan Watan Punjab Diyan" proves that Punjab is regaining its status as India's premier sporting hub.
In a move targeting broader social welfare, Mann urged residents to enroll in the Mukh Mantri Sehat Yojna, which provides up to ₹10 lakh in cashless medical treatment. He framed these initiatives as a direct result of "plugging leakages" in public spending left by previous regimes, allowing the state to reinvest saved money directly into public infrastructure and health.
The Chief Minister also touched upon regional pride, confirming that the state has formally requested the Central Government to rename Halwara Airport after the legendary young martyr Kartar Singh Sarabha. This gesture, along with the renovation of the Dehlon-Pakhowal road at a cost of ₹30 crore, aims to improve both the historical legacy and the modern connectivity of the Ludhiana district.
Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia and various cabinet ministers joined the Chief Minister at the event, which has historically hosted icons like Milkha Singh and Major Dhyan Chand. Mann concluded by calling for communal harmony, urging villagers to keep playgrounds neutral and united regardless of political affiliations.
Punjab CM Bhagwant Singh Mann Kila Raipur Rural Olympics 2026 Sports Against Drugs Bullock Cart Races Punjab Punjab Sports Budget
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