Cricket stadium project moves forward in Ghaziabad

The Ghaziabad development authority, in its board meeting held on Tuesday, said that it has completed the purchase of nearly 23 acres of land for the international cricket stadium.

The city is now a step closer to getting an international cricket stadium and a sports academy. The Ghaziabad development authority (GDA), in its board meeting held on Tuesday, said that it has completed the purchase of nearly 23 acres of land for the facility. The stadium is expected to come up by 2018.

Presently, residents have access to limited sports facilities, like the one available at Nehru Stadium in the city. (Sakib Ali/HTPhoto)

The proposal for the stadium was received by the GDA from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in 2013 and a total of nearly 23 acres of contiguous land was required for its construction.

However, for more than two years, the authority could facilitate purchase of only around 19 acres from farmers at Morti village near Raj Nagar Extension. Several farmers in the middle of the area were not ready to give up a major portion of the remaining land required, posing a hurdle in meeting the requirement for contiguous land.

“The issues have been sorted out now and the 23 acres of land has been made available to the BCCI. The registry of land is also done,” said

“The land was made available by continuous negotiations with farmers,” he added.

According to officials, all the land for the sports facility was acquired through direct purchase from farmers at a cost of Rs 5,500 per square metre.

The BCCI had earlier paid nearly `65 crore as advance to GDA for purchase of land. Authority officials added that the registry of the land brought from farmers was made in favour of the UP Cricket Association.

The stadium would come up in another two years, they said.

“We have also come to know through personal sources that the BCCI is in talks with some renowned names who have developed international-standard cricket stadiums like the one at Mohali. We hope the city will get one of the best sports facilities in the coming times and will also encourage sportsmen and young children,” Yadav added.

Presently, residents and sports enthusiasts have access to limited sports facilities that are available only at Nehru cricket stadium in Gandhi Nagar and the Mahamaya Stadium in the city.