Rajesh Dhar
JAMMU, Aug 20: The development of much awaited International standard Cricket Stadium on the analogy of world famous Dharamsala Stadium is on cards at Bajalta, around 10 kilometers from Jammu City as the BCCI representatives headed by Arun Lumba, 15-member team constituted by Deputy Commissioner Jammu, Ramesh Kumar and the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), Ashiq Hussain Bukhari along with Member JKCA Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal visited the site of the Stadium today to initiate the process with regard to the development of the Stadium.
The work on this project will simply be a ‘dream come true’ for the entire cricketing fraternity of the State, especially the people of Jammu as the so-called foundation stone on this project was to be laid way back in 2011 by the then traumatic rather jaundiced Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association, which however, could not materialise because the JKCA scam had unearthed at that time.
According to the reliable sources, the initiative is now being taken by the BCCI and the JKCA in response to the directions issued by the Division Bench of the State High Court.
“In a Public Interest Litigation for construction of International Cricket Stadium at Bajalta, the Division Bench of State High Court comprising Chief Justice Badar Durrez Ahmed and Justice Sanjeev Kumar had issued notice to the CEO of the Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association to place the map of the area along with the plans for building any connecting road at proposed Stadium before next date of hearing,” sources said.
Sources further said that the PIL had been filed by Advocate Deewakar Sharma seeking direction to JKCA to immediately start the construction of International Stadium at Bajalta Jammu soon after the release of already sanctioned amount of Rs 100 crore, adding after hearing Advocate Deewakar Sharma who is also petitioner for the PIL and Advocate General Jehangir Iqbal Ganai for the State and Sr. Advocate Sunil Sethi with Advocate Parimoksh Seth for the BCCI, the DB had directed that Advocate General should also have the Irrigation and Flood Control Department survey of the area at Bajalta which has been earmarked for the Cricket Stadium from the standpoint of the same being flood prone or not.
Sources said that eleven years have passed in handing over of the land measuring 575 kanals and in allotment of Rs 100 crore for construction of International Cricket Stadium at Bajalta. For not taking initiative with regard to construction work of the Stadium, the State of J&K, especially Jammu has suffered huge loss in sports tourism as well as in other financial benefits which the State of J&K could have earned after the completion of the International Cricket Stadium.
During the significant visit of the representatives from the BCCI, the JKCA and the District Administration at the site today, the revenue officials maintained that the flagging/ demarcation of the area will be done by or before August 30, 2018.
The revenue officials included Assistant Commissioner, Tehsildar, Naib Tehsildar, Girdawar and Patwari.
Sources said the officers and officials from the Department of Flood Control were also part of the visiting delegation.
When contacted, CEO JKCA Ashiq Hussain Bukhari said that he felt ecstatic to see positive mood of all the members of the visiting delegation, adding that the revenue officials assured him of making proper demarcation of the land by end of this month.
He said that the tendering and other allied processes will be done itself by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“Having a look of the map design and contours of the Stadium brought a blissful feeling to my mind. The design portraits the picture of how beautiful the stadium will be after its completion,” said Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal.
It is pertinent to mention here that the Stadium when completed, besides catering to the needs of thousands of budding cricketers of the State, will open employment avenues for hundreds of deserving candidates.
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