The plot at Kankerbagh in Patna on which the state art, culture and youth affairs department wants to develop the swimming pool. Picture by Ranjeet Kumar Dey

Patna, July 4: The records of American swimmer Michael Phelps may be a source of inspiration for many youths in the state. But before they can follow in the footsteps, err, butterfly strokes of the winner of 16 Olympic medals, they will have to contend with a slight tussle between Bihar State Housing Board and the department of art, culture and youth affairs.

The board and the department have locked horns over a four-acre plot near the Kankerbagh Sports Complex. The department wants to convert it into a swimming pool alongside the sports complex. The board, however, wants Rs 111 crore — for the plot and the 15 acres of land on which the sports complex has been constructed — before they allocated the plot to the department.

A senior official of the housing board said: “We had transferred 15 acres of land to the state government in 1984 for a token sum of Re 1. The department of art, culture and youth affairs constructed Kankerbagh Sports Complex on it. The department now wants a four-acre plot on the west of the complex to develop a swimming pool. At present, the market value of the total 19 acres of land is Rs 111 crore. It is not possible for us to transfer the four acres as well after such a huge financial loss in the previous transfer.”

The official added that the housing board was planning to transfer the land with certain riders.

“The financial condition of the board is not sound enough to transfer the land for free. It owes the state government Rs 85 crore. So, we want the art, culture and youth affairs department to pay all the dues. The state government could also waive the money we owe them and pay us the remaining Rs 26 crore. Then, we could allot the land for a swimming pool,” added the official.

The department of art, culture and youth affairs is, however, firm to develop a pool.

“The land is lying fallow in the heart of the town. It can be used as an attached facility for the sports complex. The swimming pool must be constructed at that place, as it would help players of other sports. Moreover, if the swimming pool is constructed at another location, its cost component would go up, as separate amenities would have to be constructed with the pool,” said Ajoy Kumar Bose, the deputy director of the youth wing of the department.

Sources in the department said the state building construction department had prepared the detailed project report of the swimming pool. The operation of the pool would follow the guidelines of Swimming Federation of India. A high-level meeting with the chief secretary of the state would be held in a couple of days to sort out the matter.