Chomp Cricket Stadium / The work on the world's third largest stadium has been stopped for one and a half years

Chomp Cricket Stadium: The much-awaited cricket stadium of Rajasthan Cricket Association (RCA) to be built in Chomp, Jaipur, which was on its way to becoming the third largest cricket stadium in the world, now seems to be turning into an unfulfilled dream. This stadium with a capacity of 75,000 spectators would have been a big gift for the cricket lovers of Rajasthan, but this project has been stalled for one and a half years.

191 crores spent, but work incomplete

The work of the first phase of construction of this stadium was to be completed by October-November 2023. Hindustan Zinc Company had agreed to invest Rs 300 crore in this project, out of which Rs 60 crore has already been given. It was named Anil Agarwal International Cricket Stadium.

But, after the resignation of the then RCA President Vaibhav Gehlot, the construction work stopped and after that it was not taken forward. Also, after the change of government in the state, no concrete decision was taken on this project.

Obstacle due to financial irregularities

RCA ad hoc committee member Dharamvir Singh Shekhawat says that RCA is paying interest of Rs 25 lakh per month on the loan taken from the bank. RCA is keen to take the stadium construction work forward, but problems are arising due to financial irregularities and lack of documents. He said that Rs 2 crore more has already been given to the contractor, but till now RCA does not have clear documents as to how much amount was given to whom.

Major obstacles in stadium construction

• The stadium was to be built in 100 acres
• Land was received at a discount of Rs 17 crore
• RCA took a loan of Rs 35 crore
• Hindustan Zinc has already given Rs 60 crore
• Subsidy of Rs 79 crore was received from BCCI
• The work was to be completed in October-November 2023

Administrative negligence and uncertainty in RCA

Former RCA secretary Bhavani Samota says that the current ad hoc committee is working according to its agenda, which is putting a lot of pressure on the financial condition of RCA. At the same time, former CEO of RCA Anant Vyas has suggested that the CEO, CFO and Infra Development Officer should be appointed permanently in RCA, so that such problems do not arise in future.

What will be the future of this stadium?

The construction of this stadium was considered important to take cricket to a new height in Rajasthan. But, in the current circumstances, this dream seems incomplete. RCA and the government will have to take concrete steps as soon as possible, so that this stadium does not remain confined to papers only. If the right decisions are taken, this stadium can provide international level facilities to the players of Rajasthan and give the state a new identity in the field of sports.