*Will be largest stadium in India after Eden Garden
Govind Sharma
JAMMU, Nov 29: The day is not far when Jammu will be hosting international matches as the Maulana Azad (MA) Cricket Stadium is being upgraded on the guidelines of International Cricket Council.
According to the official sources, the upgradation work of the Stadium has been entrusted to National Project Construction Corporation (NPCC), a Government of India Enterprise and the work is being executed by M/s SK Integrated Consultants, New Delhi at an estimated cost of Rs 42.17 crore under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
Sources said that the project was conceived by former Governor NN Vohra, who had felt dire need of a stadium of international repute in Jammu in view of abundant cricketing talent in the State which was lagging behind due to lack of standard infrastructural facilities in the MA Stadium.
“The Stadium when completed will have a well established Pavilion, VIP Gallery, Spectators’ Gallery, players’ dug outs, media rooms, Match Referee Rooms, Umpires Rooms, Medical Rooms and Dope Test Rooms in a modernized fashion,” they said adding, it will also have Standard Gymnasium, Conference Halls, customary dressing and changing rooms for players, besides cafeteria for them.
Moreover, Quality Floodlights and Typical Turf wickets in the Stadium will be a delight to watch. The Stadium will have a capacity to accommodate about 20 to 25 thousand people. The Stadium, when completed, will be fully ICC compliance stadium with all latest facilities that International Cricket Stadiums have.
Sources said that J&K was striving hard from a last decade or so to get such an International Standard Cricket Stadium as the present MA Cricket Stadium didn’t have requisite infrastructure and facilities to host international matches and it was limited only to hosting of district and State level cricket matches.
“The Stadium once completed will not only cater to the needs of thousands of young cricketers, but will also serve as a catalyst to promote cricketing culture in the State, as the young and talented cricketers of the State may be able to watch the players of great repute performing in J&K,” they said.
When contacted, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Naseem Choudhary, said that the work on the project is going on war footing and once completed this stadium will be the largest stadium in India after Eden Garden. He said that it will be 100% ICC compliance stadium where we will be able to host international test, one-day and even T-20 matches.
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