Cricket stadium in Tirupati still a distant dream

Tirupati: Cricket lovers’ dreams of watching an international cricket match in Tirupati may not be fulfilled in the near future. The stumbling blocks are not getting cleared at a much required pace. It was almost four years since the foundation stone was laid for the stadium in Tirupati.

Highlights:

• Being a cricketer and the ardent lover of the game, the then Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who hails from Chittoor district proposed the cricket stadium in Tirupati.
• The government allotted 30 acres of land belonging to Sri Venkateswara University for the stadium besides Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park and he laid the foundation stone for it on November 20, 2013

So far nothing was done significantly there and people concerned were simply washing their hands by saying that the issue was with National Green Tribunal and was cleared around September last year. Even after that there was no progress that can lead to the start of the construction work. The District Cricket Association (DCA) and Andhra Cricket Association (ACA) were moving at a snail’s pace in completing the formalities.

An international cricket stadium in Tirupati, the second one in the State after Visakhapatnam would certainly be a feather in the cap of the world’s famous pilgrim centre. It will be an asset for Rayalaseema as well as the first one was in coastal Andhra. The stadium will increase the name and fame of the City further internationally which may boost Tourism also. This will also help increase the employment opportunities with several auxiliary industries may come to establish their base here with several domestic tournaments may be conducted from time to time.

Being a cricketer and the ardent lover of the game, the then Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy who hails from Chittoor district proposed the cricket stadium in Tirupati. The government allotted 30 acres of land belonging to Sri Venkateswara University for the stadium besides Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park and he laid the foundation stone also for it on 20 November 2013. At that time he supported his intention as Tirupati has road, rail and air connectivity.

But, environment activists accused that the project will hurt the ecologically sensitive area. The southern bench of National Green Tribunal (NGT) took suo motu cognisance of a news report, restrained Andhra Pradesh authorities from going ahead with the plans to construct an international cricket stadium in Tirupati, stating that it could disturb the ecology of the area. The NGT has delivered its judgment on 30 January 2015 which gave green signal to the stadium imposing certain conditions.

But even after two and half years of that NGT’s order, reflecting the apathy of the DCA and ACA there was no significant development. Sports lovers are losing hopes of getting a stadium in Tirupati with this indifferent attitude of Cricket associations. The secretary of DCA Anil Kumar told The Hans that, they were asked to plant 5000 trees as several trees have to be removed at the proposed stadium site and they have fulfilled it.

Some paper work is still pending. The Treasurer of DCA Mohan Naidu said that, they still need to get environmental clearance from the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) who asked some papers. They have submitted them and waiting for the approval. Once they get that, ACA will take steps to start the construction works, he averred.

Former Chairman of Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh (SAAP) PR Mohan said that, the Chief Minister is very much interested in this project. In view of the objections raised by many at the selection of site, alternatively they have identified 25 acres near Airport as an alternative site. Government is ready to extend any cooperation but the initiation has to come from ACA. The treasurer of DCA Mohan Naidu, however, said that SAAP has nothing to do with the stadium and they will go ahead with the present site near Zoo Park.

By V Pradeep Kumar