Bengal Sports Minister Orders Removal Of Mamata-Era Football Sculpture Near Salt Lake Stadium

The West Bengal government has decided to remove the football-themed sculpture installed outside Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium, which was unveiled in 2017 ahead of the FIFA U-17 World Cup during Mamata Banerjee’s tenure. State Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik called the structure “grotesque” and lacking aesthetic appeal, saying it would be taken down soon. The minister also linked the installation to the “bad days” of the previous Trinamool Congress government, triggering fresh political controversy in the state. Alongside the announcement, the government also revealed plans to upgrade stadium infrastructure and introduce food courts for spectators.