Facelift for Orissa's Barabati Stadium in two years
A total of 13 one-day internationals and several test and hundreds of first class matches have been played here.
Orissa's famous Barabati stadium will be renovated and expanded matching facilities available in world-class cricket grounds, officials of Orissa Cricket Association (OCA) said.
"The number of seats in the two galleries will be increased to 50,000 from 30,000. With an indoor practice hall to help players warm up during rainy season, a swimming pool inside the stadium premises would also be constructed," Secretary OCA Ashirbad Behera said.
Barabati stadium, Orissa's lone cricket ground, has lower seating capacity and lacks provisions other test and one-day international playing grounds in India boast.
A total of 13 one-day internationals and several test and hundreds of first class matches have been played here.
According to Behera, present press box would be renovated and equipped with modern communication facilities. "Similarly, the players' dressing room would be refurbished as per international standards," he added.
Renovation of the stadium, the foundation of which was laid recently by governor M C Bhandare, will be completed in two years at a cost of Rs 56 crore funded by the BCCI.
BCCI has no objection in OCA developing the stadium though Orissa Olympic Association (OOA) owns the stadium.
"BCCI will provide the funds in two phases for the facelift of the stadium," said Behera, who is also the secretary of OOA.
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