A municipal gym at Kapileswar in Bhubaneswar. Picture by Ashwinee Pati

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 22: The fitness fad might be picking up in the city but the Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation’s proposal to set up three multi-gyms is yet to work out.

The Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC) had even set aside Rs 10 lakh in the current year’s budget for the project, which is yet to make headway. At present, the civic body runs two gyms in Kapileswar and Baulagada.

However, both these facilities are in poor shape because of lack of maintenance.

“We have requested the civic authorities several times for upkeep of the gyms. But they have not spent a single paisa over the past two decades. We have no choice but to collect money from those who come to exercise here for repairing electronic appliances such as bulbs and fans,” said Manoj Kumar Mallya, a member of the Kapileswar municipal gymnasium.

Both the gyms attract a number of youths.

While more than 100 fitness buffs hit the Kapileswar gym every day, over 200 go to the Baulagada gym. The authorities of both the facilities collect a meagre donation from each of the gym-goers.

“Had the corporation allocated a sum of just Rs 1,000 a month to both these gyms, things would have been much better,” said Mallya.

Government gyms are good news for fitness buffs because exercising at private gyms costs a lot of money.

“One has to spend nearly Rs 1,000 a month for working out at a private gym. But government-managed gyms do not charge any money. The corporation should set up more multi-gyms to attract more youths,” said Rajat Sahu, a resident of the city.

Apart from the two government gyms, the city has two more facilities maintained by the state sports and youth services department at Kalamandap Yogic Centre and Unit-I indoor hall.

“Gyms will definitely promote a fitness culture. We have also demanded renovation of the two gyms managed by the civic body,” said councillor of ward No. 49 Amresh Jena.

However, BMC officials said the budget for the project is yet to receive the approval of the government.

“Once the government approves the budget, we will start construction of the three proposed gyms,” said a senior official of the corporation.