PSU ITI Ltd bags Rs 72.76-crore project to build world-class ice hockey rink in Kaza
Photo used for indicative purpose only
Kaza/Shimla, Jan 2,
For boosting winter sports infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh’s cold desert region, PSU ITI Ltd has secured a Rs 72.76-crore turnkey contract to develop a state-of-the-art ice hockey rink at Kaza Soma in Lahaul and Spiti district.
Awarded by the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Lahaul and Spiti, the project will be executed on a turnkey basis and is expected to become the second natural, world-class ice skating facility in Kaza, reinforcing the region’s growing reputation as a hub for winter sports in India.
According to officials familiar with the project, the proposed rink will be supported by comprehensive modern infrastructure tailored for high-altitude conditions. The scope of work includes construction of a full-scale ice hockey facility, installation of a 500 kW solar power backup system to ensure uninterrupted operations, and deployment of advanced lighting and CCTV surveillance systems, along with other essential accessories and support infrastructure.
The project is being viewed as a critical intervention for ice hockey and ice skating in India—sports that remain largely confined to limited pockets such as Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh due to the absence of modern training and competition facilities. India currently competes in lower divisions internationally, a gap that sports administrators attribute largely to infrastructure constraints. The Kaza rink is expected to provide structured training opportunities for local youth as well as national-level players, potentially strengthening India’s long-term prospects in ice hockey.
For ITI Ltd, the contract marks a notable diversification beyond its legacy role in telecom manufacturing. The PSU has been gradually expanding into non-telecom verticals by leveraging its engineering, project management and system integration capabilities. The Kaza ice hockey rink stands out as a high-visibility infrastructure project, particularly given the logistical and climatic challenges of the trans-Himalayan terrain.
Local officials believe the facility will also catalyse sports tourism and generate ancillary economic activity in the remote tribal district. The project aligns with broader government efforts to position Lahaul and Spiti as an emerging international destination for winter sports, while creating sustainable opportunities for local communities in one of Himachal Pradesh’s most challenging geographies.
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