Chitwan, Jul 25: The halted construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Bharatpur Metropolitan City-15, Rampur, is set to resume within a week. This announcement came after an on-site inspection by representatives of the Bharatpur Metropolitan Corporation and Himalayan Kalinchok VVR JV, the construction company.

The Dhurmus Suntali Foundation, which initially began the stadium project, has started gathering the necessary materials for construction. Metropolitan Chief Renu Dahal and Deputy Chief Chitrasen Adhikari, along with representatives from the construction company, conducted the on-site monitoring to ensure readiness for the resumption of work. Vikas Gautam, a representative of the construction company, stated that work would commence immediately once the foundation prepares the necessary deposits for the construction materials. “Cleaning and other preliminary work will start from Sunday,” he added.

The initial tasks will include clearing the site of bushes and debris. Jagannath Aryal, head of the financial administration division of the metropolitan city, mentioned that they have begun collecting bonds to manage the construction materials brought by the foundation. Once the bonds are raised, the technical team will start their work.

An agreement was signed on June 23 between the Metropolitan Municipality and the construction company to complete the stadium. According to Metropolitan Chief Renu Dahal, the project has been valued at Rs 785 million 91 thousand 189, with a two-party agreement to complete the construction within 30 months. This agreement followed the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation’s inability to finish the project. Dahal emphasized the Metropolitan Corporation’s responsibility to facilitate a conducive environment for construction and the construction company’s obligation to complete the work on time. “In the first phase, the field and stadium will be constructed to host international-level competitions,” she said, noting the stadium’s partnership with three levels of government to ensure timely completion and the ability to host international events.

The construction plan includes a playground, pitch, protection wall, two tower buildings, and an additional 10,000 capacity parapets. The project, which has been idle for about three years, will cost over three billion rupees to complete. Following the first phase, the second phase of construction will commence.

Deputy Chief Chitrasen Adhikari stressed the collective effort needed to overcome any issues during construction and instructed the builders to start and complete the work promptly. The stadium is being constructed on land leased from Tribhuvan University for 30 years, covering a 20-bigha six-acre plot. An initial agreement for construction was signed between the Metropolitan Corporation and the Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation on January 16, 2075. After the foundation was unable to continue the work, ownership transferred to the Metropolitan Corporation, which is now coordinating with the association and the state to complete the stadium.