Box cricket facility coming up at BMC Chowk

After Ludhiana and other metro cities, Jalandhar is now set to have its own box cricket under the BMC Chowk flyover, with the facility expected to be ready in the next 10 days.

Giving final touches to the project, Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal on Wednesday inspected the site and directed officials to ensure its completion at the earliest. Significantly, the administration does not plan to make any commercial use of the space and will allow youth in the area to use the ground for cricket practice free of cost.

A key attraction is that lights have been installed inside the netted box, enabling cricket enthusiasts to play even in the late evenings. “Our idea primarily has been to encourage shopkeepers and office-goers in the surrounding areas to play for some time here after their day’s work. We want to promote sports and ensure that everyone engages in some kind of fitness regime,” said the DC.

Municipal Corporation officials stated that the space, if left unused, could have been encroached upon by vendors or misused by anti-social elements. Instead, in coordination with the district administration, the area has now been converted into a mesh-enclosed box cricket facility with a proper entry gate, which was readied a few weeks ago.

This is not the first box cricket venue in Jalandhar. At least two other pitches exist within a 4-5 km range, but these are privately owned. Users at those venues must pre-book slots and typically pay Rs 1,000–1,200 per hour as a group. In contrast, the BMC Chowk facility will be available free of cost.

The DC informed that the District Sports Officer has been instructed to ensure all necessary amenities are in place over the coming days. “He will also devise a system for adequate use of the site. Once the facility becomes fully functional, it will be handed over to local residents for daily operations, though maintenance will remain with the administration,” he added.

Dr Aggarwal also noted that the pitch has been set up under the state’s flagship ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign. “School and college students will also be encouraged to utilise the facility during their free time. The initiative aims to promote a vibrant sports culture at the grassroots level,” he said.

Notably, box cricket is a fast-growing urban sporting format played in a smaller, enclosed pitch with simplified rules. It is quick, engaging, and accessible for all age groups, making it a popular option for casual play and fitness.