HPCA looks to increase seating capacity of Dharamsala stadium

The Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) will explore the possibility of increasing the seating capacity of the international cricket stadium at Dharamsala from 22,000 to 30,000. Sources say that the cricket association is planning to increase the seating capacity of the stadium as it receives a lot of spectators from across the region whenever IPL or one day cricket matches are hosted there.

HPCA secretary Avneesh Parmar said that a survey was conducted for increasing the seating capacity of the Dharamsala stadium. The seating capacity would be increased only after ensuring that the view of the Dhauladhar mountain ranges from the stadium was not restricted. "Experts are being consulted to explore the possibility of increasing the seating capacity of the stadium without hindering the view of the Dhauladhar mountains," he added.

The sources said that the stadium was likely to host three IPL matches in the coming cricketing season. Parmar said, "The Punjab Kings XI team has chosen the Dharamsala cricket stadium as one of its home stadiums for the IPL season. It will, however, be confirmed only after the final schedule of the IPL matches is released."

The Dharamsala stadium and cricket matches held there are important for tourism promotion in the region. Last year also, two IPL cricket matches were held at this stadium and it was jam-packed with spectators.

The stadium is considered as one of the most beautiful stadiums in the world. It has come a long way in the past 20 years from a simple playground of Dharamsala government college to being the venue of five ICC World Cup cricket matches.

The work on the stadium had started in 2002 when Prem Kumar Dhumal-led BJP government allocated the land belonging to the Education Department to the HPCA on lease for a token amount. The stadium was built within a year though at that time, it had a limited seating capacity. In 2003, the first inter-district cricket matches were held there. In March, 2005, the first match of significance between the India Board 11 and Pakistan was held at Dharamsala, which brought the stadium into focus.