The construction of the international cricket stadium, which was considered a significant development and a beacon of hope for cricketers in the Udaipur division, has been halted for nearly seven months due to a lack of budget. In 2022, the Urban Improvement Trust in Udaipur allocated 45 bighas of land for the stadium. Subsequently, discussions were underway to acquire an additional 50 bighas of land. The funds for the construction of the International Cricket Stadium in Kheda Kanpur, Udaipur, with an estimated cost of around 150 crores, were provided by the Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) and the Urban Improvement Trust (UIT). These funds were utilized for land leveling purposes. It was planned that the remaining amount would be obtained from a major industry as rent for the stadium. CM Ashok Gehlot had expressed strong interest and support for this project. As part of the agreement, RCA had given approximately 6 crore rupees to UIT for the stadium in Maharana Pratap Khel Gaon. This sum was received by UIT as compensation for the land in Kheda Kanpur, and the remaining funds were allocated for leveling and other necessary works.

A budget of approximately 500 crore rupees is required for the completion of the stadium. The seating capacity has been set at 35,000 spectators, and various amenities such as a cafeteria, swimming pool, club house, and team dressing rooms are planned to be included. The field will feature developed grass and around 1800 to 2000 LED lights, reaching a height of 58 meters. The installation and maintenance of these LED lights alone incur significant expenses in the crores. Additionally, the construction of around 10 cricket pitches is necessary, which also involves substantial costs. 

The construction of the international cricket stadium in the Udaipur division, which held immense promise for cricketers and was seen as a major milestone, has come to a standstill. Despite initial progress, the project hit a roadblock when the allocated funds proved to be insufficient to cover the expenses involved in completing the stadium. However, the necessary financial resources needed to carry out the construction work and meet various requirements, such as leveling the land, installing infrastructure, and providing essential facilities, were not adequately accounted for.

This financial setback has resulted in the project being put on hold, causing disappointment among the cricket community. The construction of the stadium would have not only provided a world-class venue for cricket matches but also opened up new opportunities for local cricketers to showcase their talent and enhance their skills.

Source: Dainik Bhaskar