Surat’s Innovative Indoor Sports Hub Under Parle Point Bridge Wins Social Media Praise

Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) has successfully converted the under-bridge area at Parle Point into a lively indoor sports facility, attracting praise on social media for its ingenious reuse of urban space. The ₹2.5 crore project, nestled beneath the spans of the flyover near Jani Farsan, offers an extensive suite of indoor activities including table tennis, chess, carrom, air hockey, snakes & ladders, bowling, and box cricket.

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Beyond sports, the venue incorporates a reading room designed to foster literacy and quiet engagement, along with a cafeteria. It also features a dedicated play area for children, seating for senior citizens, and locker facilities to ensure convenience and security for users.

The online community response has been overwhelmingly positive. One user observed:

“Agar ye har city me ho jae to encroachment band ho jaega or public places ko recreational activity ke lie use kia jaa sakega.”

Others urged similar developments across India, noting the potential to transform derelict under-bridge spaces into community assets. However, some cautioned that sustained citizen involvement and discipline are crucial to prevent neglect:

“This kind of location can only be successful if citizens are disciplined otherwise it will become a garbage house within a month.”

Notably, Surat’s initiative reflects a wider trend in Gujarat—Ahmedabad has launched a similar sports centre under the CIMS overbridge on Science City Road, part of an AMC plan to develop eight such facilities under flyovers at a budget of ₹37 crore.

Why this matters:

• Smart space utilization: Turning under-bridge areas into active, safe sports and leisure zones.

• Inclusive design: Catering to diverse age groups—kids, teens, elders—while promoting fitness, recreation, and reading.

• Scalable urban model: Innovative blueprint for other cities to convert underutilized spaces into community hubs.

Overall, Surat’s Parle Point facility serves as a trophy example of sustainable urban planning, blending functionality, community well-being, and creative infrastructure use.