Bhubaneswar: Hours after 5T Chairman VK Pandian visit, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) Secretary Sanjay Behera on Wednesday said that Barabati Stadium here will completely demolished for executing the transformation plan.
“The lower parts of the stadium was constructed at 1952 and there were some add-ons later. We can take up the transformation work in parts but to be able to converted it into a stadium of international standard, we have to develop a structure that can last for 40-50 years,” he said.
Behera said they plan to increase seating capacity of the iconic stadium from 42,000 to 60,000 with bucket seats. “We had requested the state government for developing an integrated sports complex at Barabati and transform it into a villa. The state government, BBCI and OCA will jointly develop this sports area. We have an overall view of the stadium. The feasibility report is being prepared and it will take another two months before we can come up with a blueprint,” he said.
The sate government and the OCA will spend around Rs 600 crore on it, he added.
The CMO had earlier revealed that the transformational work will be carried out under the 5T initiative of the state government. The stadium area will be developed into a world-class sports campus with best facilities for cricket and other sports.
The spectators will experience international standards in terms of the access to the stadium right from roads to parking to the galleries, comfortable viewing of the matches and facilities like food courts, wash rooms. The campus will also have facilities for other sports disciplines.
The area adjacent to the Barabati stadium will be developed for retail mall along with 5-star hotel and offices spaces. The area in front of the stadium will be developed as a public plaza and will become one of the main open spaces for the citizens of Cuttack city.
Later, Pandian interacted with the coaches and players. He assured that cricket development will be a priority under 5T transformation and cricket training centres with quality coaching will be developed across the state. The aim will be to make Odisha as a major emerging state in the field of cricket.
He also held discussion with OCA president Pranab Prakash Das and other officials regarding cricket development in the state.
