The Hindu

Mangalore, Nov 7: Cricket lovers here have something to look forward to. The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has planned to set up a full-fledged cricket stadium in the city. The association is looking to acquire nearly 25 acres of land from the Karnataka Industrial Areas Development Board (KIADB) between Bykampady and Kulai for this purpose.

Srinivas Rai, KSCA's Mangalore zone convener, said here that the association had been pursuing this proposal with the State Government for the past two years. Noting that Mangalore MLA N Yogish Bhat too had evinced interest in the project, he said that the KIADB's response was awaited.

He said the KSCA had sought the land at a concessional rate as the current market rate was too high, and besides, the KSCA would have to develop it further.

Deputy Commissioner M. Maheshwar Rao, who held a meeting with Rai on Saturday, said that the administration fully supported the KSCA on the venture. "Former Deputy Commissioner Aravind Shrivastava too had taken up the matter with the KIADB, on a request from the KSCA," he said. "I too have sent a proposal to the KIADB to provide the land at a concessional rate."

Shrivastava, now Deputy Commissioner of Bellary district, said that an earlier plan to construct the stadium at Tanir bhavi at Panambur near here had been dropped keeping in mind the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms.

Rai, however, said that if the stretch of land comprising the existing bus station at Nehru Maidan was given to the Dakshina Kannada District Cricket Association, it would be possible for the KSCA to set up a full-fledged stadium there as well.