VCA Cricket stadium on Wardha road in nagpur review information

DON’T be surprised if the list of best cricket stadiums in the world soon have the name of Vidarbha Cricket Association (VCA). It’s now just a matter of few months when the association’s dream project at Jamtha will be ready to host international cricketing action. Construction of the new stadium has entered the final phase. Work is going on round-the-clock and by January 2008 the stadium will be ready for action.

“We are expecting the stadium to be ready by this December-end,” said Adv Shashank Manohar, VCA President, while showcasing his dream that is taking a spectacular shape. Manohar had vowed to complete the new stadium before he quits his post in 2009. He is soon going to realise his promise.

The project, being built by eminent Design & Construction Company, M/S Shapoorji Pallonji & Co Ltd, Mumbai, was supposed to be over by August 2007 but the designs underwent a lot of changes extending the time period by four months. “We had to alter a lot of designs keeping in mind the comfort of players and public alike. The entire stadium will have more facilities including large-size seats,” said Manohar while explaining in detail utilities in the stadium. With the new designs the stadium will have a capacity to accommodate 45,000 people.

A total of 40 air-conditioned corporate boxes with 15 seats each and VIP galleries are ready, each with separate foyers. The players’ dressing rooms, situated on the first floor at the south end, are large in size with each consisting of a sit-out, a gym, a medical room and lunch room. A staircase will lead the players straight into the ground. Just behind the dressing room will be four practice wickets with box nets. The ground will have five main wickets in north-south direction. The stadium’s total cost has now gone upto Rs 55 crore and is likely to increase. However, Manohar is confident of raising the fund. “We have the capacity to take care of the additional expenses. Whatever be the case we will never compromise on quality,” he stated. Manohar’s stress on quality work is justified when one visits the club house.

The structure built on an area of 50,000 sq ft has all the modern amenities under one roof. The 7000 sq ft banquet hall is equipped with 40 air conditioners and is on the verge of completion. The club house will house 20 luxurious rooms of 400 sq ft each on two floors with plush interiors including Jaguar fittings in the bathrooms. Four suites add to the glory of the club house. An air-conditioned multi-cuisine restaurant, bar, party hall, a 62,000 sq ft lawn for party purpose, modern sports infrastructure including gymnasium, health center & spa, an Olympic standard swimming pool, four synthetic tennis courts, two wooden badminton courts, table tennis hall, two squash courts, billiards and snooker room and a card room. The library will also have a sit-out on the adjacent terrace with lawn and resting chairs. The association also plans to set up a sports good shop in the club house. Manohar said the club house will start functioning by September-end. The new stadium construction committee headed by Sudhir Dabir and including Prakash Dixit, Prafull Doshi, Rajan Nair, Suresh Junghare, Percy Nazir, S M Marathe, Gurunath Modak, Ajay Mokashi and Rajeev Gokhale is looking after the last phase of the work .