Karni Singh Shooting Range facing crisis; to get renovation again ahead of Rio Qualifiers: Report

New Delhi: The Karni Singh Shooting Range on the outskirts of the capital has one again been shut down for repairs after lack of annual maintenance.

According to a report in the Hindustan Times, the Karni Singh Shooting Ranges is being renovated. In 2010 the ranges were renovated in a huge scale with projected cost of 20 crore just before the Commonwealth Games.

The ranges have been shut again for the second time since September to highlight the shabby affair. Most importantly this issue surfaces ahead of the Rio Olympic qualifiers which is to be held from January 25 to February 3.

Earlier, in order to conduct the Asian Air Weapon Shooting Championship in September, the ranges, under the jurisdiction of the Sports Authority of India (SAI), were closed. It was due to damaged electronic targets and other equipment.

Reports claim that SAI official Sanjeev Baranwal, confirmed the ranges needed work, and that they would be ready before the competition.

It is believed that the condition of the ranges had started to deteriorate after the warranty expired in 2011. Besides the 10-metre range, electronic targets at the 25-metre and 50-metre ranges have been repaired in the past.

SAI has plans to award an annual maintenance contract (AMC) to check further damage.

During the Nationals, the shooters who participated from across the country faced faulty ranges that caused problems.

The ranges created problems as shooters cried at the 50m and men's 10m air rifle.

Narayan Singh Rana, a key official who was in conduct during the Nationals, was hopeful the ranges would function well during the important Rio qualifier.