Karnataka plans international cricket stadium in Bangalore

PTI

Bangalore, 03 March 2011: The Karnataka government is planning to build an international-level cricket stadium here with a capacity to seat up to 80,000 spectators.

 

Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today informed the Legislative Assembly that efforts are on to locate 60-70 acres of land for the proposed stadium with a seating capacity of 70,000 to 80,000.

 

"I have already spoken to (Anil) Kumble (President of Karnataka State Cricket Association," Yeddyurappa said.

 

The present M Chinnaswamy Stadium in the heart of the city was built more than four decades ago and can accommodate around 38,000 spectators. The Chief Minister’s statement came during a discussion on the lathicharge of frenzied cricket fans on February 24 as chaos broke out during sale of tickets ahead of the February 27 India-England World Cup tie here.

 

Several members cutting across party lines demanded constitution of a House committee to probe the ticket sale mess as well as affairs of the KSCA, run by Kumble and Javagal Srinath, who is its Secretary.

 

Clearly disfavouring a house committee, Yeddyurappa stressed the need not to send a "wrong message" (that Karnataka could not manage cricket affairs) and said he would convene a meeting, inviting agitated members as well as the KSCA management to resolve the issues.

 

N L Narendrababu, N Sampangi (both Cong) and S R Vishwanath (BJP), among others, pushed for a House committee probe, and came down heavily on KSCA.

 

P M Ashok (Congress) charged the KSCA with engaging in "illegal activities" and selling tickets in black-market. "KSCA has given tickets to people they want", he alleged. "There has been irregularities to the tune of Rs five crore".

 

Yeddyurappa and Home Minister R Ashoka said since the tie was originally scheduled to be held in Kolkata before it was shifted to Bangalore, the number of tickets for distribution here was less. "Only 1,000 tickets were sold to the public. Is it not cheating?," Narendrababu asked.

 

Following the Chief Minister’s statement of calling a meeting to resolve the issue, Speaker K G Bopaiah treated the matter as closed, which meant that the demand for a house committee probe was not met.