Odisha’s Jharsuguda cricket stadium to get world-class makeover worth Rs 250,00,00,000 

The Odisha government has set in motion an ambitious project to upgrade the cricket stadium at Malimunda in Jharsuguda district into an international-standard facility at an estimated cost of Rs 250 crore.

An Australian consultancy, renowned for designing world-class stadiums, has been engaged to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR). The work will commence once the DPR receives approval, informed Jharsuguda MLA Tankadhar Tripathy while inaugurating a new astroturf hockey ground at H. Kantapali on Thursday. District Sports Officer Tushar Mishra said the plan also envisions infrastructure for football, lawn tennis, and athletics.

The idea of building an international stadium in Jharsuguda was first mooted in 2013–14 when Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) earmarked CSR funds for the project. Of the 32 acres identified at Malimunda, 19 acres were set aside for the stadium. MCL initially sanctioned Rs 8 crore, which went towards land development and approach roads.

Subsequent revisions in 2016–17 pegged the cost at over Rs 17 crore. More recently, in 2023, the state government approved Rs 10.35 crore for a swimming pool and Rs 5.34 crore for cricket infrastructure, both still under construction.

Currently, the first-phase gallery, built at Rs 4 crore, only provides basic seating and falls short of national standards, lacking chairs and spectator facilities. Experts suggest it may need demolition and reconstruction to meet international benchmarks.

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Further complications arise from the stadium’s location near the airport, which could prevent the installation of floodlights, casting uncertainty over the possibility of hosting day-night matches in the future.