ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority(CDA)’s proposed cricket stadium project is likely to hit snags as the federal government has directed the civic agency not to engage Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the project.

Recently, the CDA and PCB prepared a draft memorandum of understanding (MoU) for jointly executing the project in the foothills of Margallas near D-12. Under the proposed agreement, construction of the stadium and its operation and maintenance would be the responsibility of the PCB while the CDA would provide 280 kanals for it.

It was also proposed that the PCB will get 70pc of the revenue and the remaining would go to the CDA. However, sources said last week at a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, the CDA was directed not to execute the MoU and construct the stadium from its own funding.

The civic agency was also directed to hire the services of local or international consultant firms for the project. The sources said after the development, the proposed project was likely to face a setback. They said CDA had no expertise for the construction of a stadium. Secondly, the civic agency could face funding issues as well as billions of rupees were required for the project.

Govt asks CDA not to go for joint venture with PCB and establish stadium with own funds, says official

Similarly, an official said the construction and operation of an international cricket stadium was not a suitable job for the CDA as it was supposed to provide infrastructure like roads and streets and other basic civic facilities to citizens.

“I have no idea how we will manage such a big project,’” said an official. He said the CDA in the past even had failed to maintain its own small cricket grounds developed in various sectors which remained in illegal occupation of various individuals for years. However, a couple of years ago, after a court battle the CDA got the grounds vacated from individuals but still some private people have their influence on some of the grounds, said the official said.

During the last three months, PCB and CDA held several meetings on the project and the former was willing to construct the stadium. The CDA official said there was a need to plead the case with the interim government, requesting it to allow the CDA to get help of the PCB otherwise it will not be able to arrange billions of rupees for the project.

Despite repeated attempts, CDA Chairman Noorul Amin Mengal could not be reached for comments on Sunday.

However, an officer of the CDA said that the civic agency had the potential to execute the project without the support of PCB. He, however, said the CDA will hire a consultant and in the light of his recommendation will move forward.

Recently, PCB and CDA officials at a meeting had decided that the proposed stadium will be the largest in the country with over 50,000 seating capacity. It was also agreed that PCB will complete the construction work within five years.

In the past too, CDA and PCB had joined hands for the construction of a cricket stadium in Shakarparian. However, Supreme Court scrapped the project as it was being executed in a protected area. This time round, the CDA has chosen a site in the foothills of Margallas near D-12 in Zone-111 where it says sports and recreational facilities could be developed.

Published in Dawn, August 15th, 2023