Cuttack: For complete transformation of the Iconic Barabati Stadium, the State Government and Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) have joined hands and decided to develop the cricket stadium as a world-class stadium with an investment of Rs 600 to Rs 700 crore.
Speaking to media persons after the meeting, OCA Vice-President Pankaj Lochan Mohanty said, “It was decided during the meeting to prepare a detailed projects report (DPR) for complete development of the Barabati Stadium with an investment of about Rs 600 to Rs 700 crore.”
We can get more than Rs 150 crore from BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) Infrastructure Development Fund while the State Government with active support from corporate through their CSR fund, can get the remaining fund required for the mega project, he said.
This decision was taken during the Annual General Meeting of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) held at the Stadium premises on Sunday.
The meeting was held under the chairmanship of OCA President Pranab Prakash Das while Vice-President Pankaj Lochan Mohanty, OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera and other office bearers of the Association attended the crucial meeting.
The Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be prepared by January 2024. However, the association will take a final decision either to demolish the stadium completely or partially.
Meanwhile, the process to give a new look to three galleries of the Stadium has already been started. The meeting also decided to apprise the BCCI regarding the exclusion of the stadium from hosting international matches.
The association, however, is hopeful that the Barabati stadium would get matches in future on rotation basis.
This apart, the junior and senior inter-club matches being held at the venue annually will now be organised once in two years, informed OCA Secretary Sanjay Behera.
To promote grassroots level players, various competitions like inter-school, and inter-district schools will be organized by the OCA in a regular interval, he added.
The OCA President has accepted almost all proposals given by the members at the meeting and informed the general body that he has been elected to the post for development of cricket sports in the State.