BHARATPUR, Jan 11: The path for the construction of Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium, which has been stalled, has now been cleared. A federal cabinet meeting held on Tuesday gave the go-ahead to the Bharatpur Metropolitan City of Chitwan to build the stadium in partnership with the Bagmati Province government.

Rekha Sharma, Minister for Communication and Information Technology of the Government of Nepal said that consent has been given to Bharatpur Metropolitan Municipality for the purpose of construction, operation and management of the stadium.

The provincial government had already agreed with the metropolis to carry out work worth Rs 750 million in the first phase. However, according to the cost estimate prepared by the Bharatpur Metropolitan City, it will cost Rs 1 billion to build the stadium suitable for national level games.

Renu Dahal, mayor of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, said that since the cost estimate would cost Rs 1 million, a proposal has been sent to the provincial government to ensure the budget as per the previous agreement.

She said that in the first phase, the playground and parapets will be completed and the stadium will be made suitable for conducting sports activities. "While estimating the cost, we have asked the province to arrange Rs 700 million in the first phase as it is seen that the project will require Rs 1 billion. We will contribute the remaining Rs 300 million,” Dahal added.

Dhurmus Suntali Foundation, which started the construction of the stadium by collecting donations, stopped the construction work two years ago saying that they had Rs 190 million of debt. Since then, this stadium’s construction has been stalled. Now the way is open to proceed with the construction work by inviting a contract.

The Government of Nepal has listed three cricket stadiums including Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium under the projects of national pride.

 
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