Bangladesh cricket is set to hog the international headlines once again as authorities concerned have already taken a step as part of the government’s plan to build an international cricket stadium close to the Padma River in Manikganj.
Local member of parliament (MP) Naimur Rahman Durjoy and a team comprised of experts from the National Sports Council (NSC) and Bangladesh University of Science and Technology (BUET) which included NSC secretary Ashok Kumar Biswas and engineers Hedayetul Haque Mirza and Sukumar Saha along Professor Dr. Badruzzaman, Prof Dr. Ikramul Haque and Prof Dr. Mahfuzur Rahman of the BUET Engineering Department visited Dhutrabari near Paturia Ferry Ghat in Manikganj on Tuesday.
Dhutrabari, located in the Shibalaya upazila of Manikganj district, lies very close to the mighty Padma River.
NSC Secretary Ashok told BSS on Wednesday, “Our sports-loving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina showed her earnest desire to build an international-standard cricket stadium outside Dhaka.”
He said both cricket and tourism will gain from this new stadium as the international viewers will be getting a chance to watch the scenic natural beauty of Bangladesh.
“But to be honest this is merely a step … BUET and our NSC engineers will submit a terms of reference, and afterward we will sit down for appointing a firm to prepare feasibility reports where all details including soil reports, cost of land, approach road, etc will be there,” he said.
“Though the dream spot is so near to the Padma River, we have to look for the opinion of experts how much river erosion will affect once the stadium is built. So despite so many pros and cons we are still hopeful we will try our best to fulfill our honourable prime minister’s desire for an international stadium in the vicinity,” he added.
He said nearly 25 acres of land will be required for constructing an international standard cricket stadium. “The required land is there and the acquisition will start if the representatives of BUET give a positive report,” Ashok said, adding that the work of the stadium will commence during the tenure of the present government.
As the spot is near Manikganj, Bangladesh’s first Test captain Naimur Rahman, who is also a lawmaker of the district, told reporters at Mirpur Stadium on Tuesday that the visit was a part of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s desire that an international cricket stadium be built near the river.
“For this reason, the area adjacent to the Paturia Ferry Ghat has been primarily selected. Apart from the Ferry Ghat, there is beautiful nature around it,” he said, adding if the stadium is built here, the tourism industry will certainly enjoy its benefits.
