Agartala: After years of anticipation, Tripura’s first international-standard cricket stadium is on the verge of completion, marking a historic moment for the state’s sporting infrastructure.
The ambitious project, which began with the selection of a site at Narsinghgarh and an estimated cost of ₹185 crores, has seen significant progress, with nearly 80% of civil construction work completed.
President of the Tripura Cricket Association (TCA), Tapan Lodh, highlighted the state’s rich cricketing history, dating back to the 1970s. Tripura has been competing in the Ranji Trophy since the late 1980s, and despite being placed in the Eastern Zone of Indian cricket, rather than the North Eastern Zone, the state has held its own in national tournaments. “Tripura is now in the elite group of teams in many tournaments,” Lodh remarked.
The stadium, with a seating capacity of 22,000, commenced construction in early 2017, following recommendations from the Lodha Committee, which prioritized the expansion of cricket infrastructure at the district level. However, progress was temporarily stalled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this setback, the project has regained momentum, with ₹125 crores already paid to contractors and additional work worth ₹20-25 crores expected to be completed by July next year.
While the cricket ground has already been handed over to the TCA, and local tournaments have begun, key installations remain. These include high-mast LED lights, power metal lighting, and steelwork on the top floor, all essential for meeting international standards. Lodh extended his gratitude to the Tripura government and Chief Minister, acknowledging their dedication to expediting the project.
Tripura’s cricket fans are eagerly awaiting the stadium’s completion, which is expected to position the state as a major cricketing hub. If approved by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and the Indian Premier League (IPL) authorities, the stadium could host elite cricket tournaments, including potential IPL matches.
With its grand vision nearing reality, the stadium is set to redefine Tripura’s cricketing landscape, offering a world-class venue that could attract top-tier domestic and international matches in the future.
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