THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The concept of an international cricket stadium at Edakochi has been blown away by environmental concerns. However, similar dreams of another city will soon gain colours. The procedural hitches that have been haunting the projects of two first class cricket grounds and a multi-purpose international cricket stadium-cum-football ground in the capital city are slowly beginning to diminish.The project of a first class cricket stadium in Thumba which has been delayed owing to so many reasons will cross over the paper works within a month. According to the MoU signed between Kerala Cricket Association (KCA) and St Xavier’s College, Thumba, a first class cricket ground was to be constructed and maintained by KCA for a period of ten years. Though mooted two years ago, the project has been lagging due to delay in getting approval from Revenue Department and Geology Department. The sand-covered ground was to be covered with red soil before handing it over to KCA for which they needed approval from the above-mentioned departments.With the college authorities receiving the approval from the Revenue Department two months ago, the project is set to step into the first phase. ‘’The Geology Department inspected the site last month. We are expecting their approval anytime. Once we get that approval, the whole ground will be covered with red soil and KCA will take over the further procedures,’’ says Father Sunny Jose, Principal, St Xavier’s College, Thumba.The proposal of KCA to renovate and maintain the Medical College cricket ground will also be taken out of the cold storage. The project was put off since KCA had failed to reached an agreement with Medical College authorities in implementing the terms of MoU. ‘’We have decided to revamp the project. The matter will be taken up with the concerned Ministers and we would like to clear away all apprehensions of the Medical College authorities regarding the terms of MoU,’’ says Vinod S Kumar, secretary, Thiruvananthapuram District Cricket Association.According to the proposed MoU, the KCA was to take over the maintenance of Medical College cricket ground for a period of fifteen years. During this period, the KCA would set up facilities in the ground that would raise it to the standard of a first-class cricket ground. Round-the-clock security and fencing around the stadium were also included in the proposal. The proposed stadium at Kariavattom is perhaps the most ambitious of all the projects in the city. The stadium will have a ground for cricket and football along with a sports complex conforming to best industry practices. The stadium will be designed for a minimum seating capacity of 50,000 people. An AC viewing gallery will be provided with a seating capacity of at least 100 viewers.The tender process of the football-cum-cricket stadium which will be constructed mainly in view of the National Games has already been completed. "We are now waiting for bids. The stadium will have everything like a high class pavilion for broadcast and spectators that could elevate it to the status of an international stadium,’’ says an official associated with the National Games.
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