Work on stadium still incomplete, ground expects to host international and MPL matches in another 6 months
Work on stadium still incomplete, ground expects to host international and MPL matches in another 6 months
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Unfinished business: Work in progress at the stadium in Gahunje village
is expected to be completed by May end. Pic/Jignesh Mistry
By the time the Subrata Roy Sahara Stadium (SRSS) -- situated in Gahunje village, about 30km from the city -- is ready to host a game, the IPL season would be on its last legs. About 70 per cent of the work is complete and the remaining is expected to be completed by May end.
Hariharan V, project coordinator of SRSS, said the management was in the process of getting permission from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to host international matches at the stadium. "We are in the process of getting the formal nod from the BCCI and once the inspection of the stadium is made by experts, international matches can be held here," Hariharan said. "So far we could complete only 70 per cent of the work at the SRSS. The matches of the Maharashtra Premiere League (MPL) that will start in October will be held here."u00a0
Earlier, Ajay Shirke, president of Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA), ruled out the possibility of hosting two of the home matches of the Pune Warriors on May 17-- against Deccan Chargers -- and May 19 -- against Kolkata Kinigh Riders -- at the Gahunje, owing to "logistic problems".u00a0
These two matches will now be played at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai and the Pune Warriors will be playing all their seven matches away from the "home pitch", he said. MiD DAY made a special visit to the sprawling 45-acre stadium worth Rs 350 crore.
"We observed that only 55 per cent of the work was done and the laying of the approach road had just begun. So far, even basic infrastructure that would facilitate activities in the stadium is absent in the Gahunje village. We are setting up the MCA Club where lodging and dining facilities will be available," said Major Rabinder Singh, the project manager. "Land close to the stadium are now being sold out and it is good for the development of infrastructure in Gahunje."
R1.03 cr
The estimated loss in a recent fire at the SRSS
Specialty of SRSS
*u00a0Five-storied main stand made of steel and RCC structure with facility for VIP boxes, teams, dressing rooms and gymnasium, comparable to international standards. RCC Structures are reinforced concrete structures. It is composed of building components such as footings, columns, beams, slabs and staircase.
* Four acres of playground area made of sand imported from Andhra Pradesh. Even if it rains the ground will dry wihin half-an-hour. Besides, special grass from Karnataka has been planted on the ground.
* The main pitch will be made with local soil.
* Design of the stadium has been made by UK-based firm Hopkins Architect.
* The stand will be 45-metre high and a total of 500 floodlights will be installed for the night matches.
* Shapurji Palanji has been given the contract for the construction and landscaping work.
* An anti-fire system has been installed in the stadium.
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