Delay in approval of funds, clearances hamper renovation of cricket stadium in Faridabad

The Faridabad Metropolitan Development Authority (FMDA), which had taken over the renovation project of the Nahar Singh International Cricket Stadium here from the Municipal Corporation of Faridabad (MCF) over a year ago, is yet to resume the work. It has been on halt for the past three years due to issues related to payments, budget and transfer of the project from the MC to the FMDA.

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Estimated to be built at cost of Rs 115 crore initially, the project has already consumed funds to the tune of Rs 74 crore. Taken up by the MCF in 2019, the work on it got halted in 2022 due to issues related to payments and change in the design. With the then authorities seeking an additional budget of Rs 100 crore for carrying out the second phase of the work in 2021-22, the progress remained nil following the non-approval of funds.

The project showed signs of revival in February 2024, when it was transferred to the FMDA, which demanded the approval of an additional budget of Rs 292 crore from the state government. The expansion of the seating capacity and creation of additional infrastructure and facilities for various sports activities in the complex led to the formulation of revised plan by the FMDA.

Sources say, however, despite the submission of the fresh detailed project report (DPR) in June last year, the department concerned failed to start the work perhaps due to the delay in the sanctioning of the funds approved principally last year and the clearance certificate from the MCF regarding the issues related to status of the work and its transfer to the FMDA.

“We are awaiting a response from the MCF regarding the pending matters and this has been one of the factors for the delay,” says FMDA Chief Engineer Ramesh Bagri, who adds that funds of Rs 292 crore stands approved. However, MCF Executive Engineer OP Kardam said the matter stood resolved on part of the civic body as there was no clearance or document pending on part of it since everything had got settled at the time of transfer of the project.

He said non-clearance of the funds sought by the FMDA could be the reason behind the delay as any tender costing Rs 10 crore or above needed an approval from the High Purchase Work Committee (HPWC) headed by the CM. The total project cost is set to go up to Rs 366 crore.

Opened for the first time in 1987, the stadium has held eight One Day International matches and over 50 domestic circuit matches till March 31, 2006, when it became non-operational or unused.