Aug 31, Kathmandu- The construction of the Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium at Rampur in Chitwan, which has been stalled for a long time, has picked up speed. In coordination with the union and the state government, the work has started to accelerate under the leadership of Bharatpur Metropolitan Corporation.

While inspecting the stadium, Renu Dahal, head of Bharatpur metropolis, said that the construction work had progressed satisfactorily since the contract was awarded.

"The work has picked up speed. The number of workers is also significant", she said, "We are confident that the stadium will be built on time." She said that the metropolis will help facilitate the necessary river materials and other works for the construction.

The Metropolitan Corporation entrusted Himalayan Kalinchowk BBR JV to complete the construction of the stadium within 30 months.

Administrative Officer of Bharatpur Metropolitan City, Laxmi Prasad Paudel informed that the construction company has started working at the field level for two weeks. He said that the Metropolitan Corporation has assigned a technical team of four people to the workplace to facilitate the work.

According to him, the previous design has been changed and the capacity of the audience has been reduced and the construction of the stadium has been restarted so that international competitions can be held. Bijay Dhakal, Project Manager of Himalayan Kalinchowk BBR JV, said that if the government provides necessary support, the work will be completed faster than the contract period.

According to him, 250 workers are currently employed. He said that in the first phase, the ground, drainage and two three-story towers will be constructed in the stadium.

When the stadium construction agreement was signed between Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation and Bharatpur Metropolis on 16th Magh 2075, it was mentioned that it would have a capacity of 30,000 spectators.

In the first phase, a stadium with a capacity of 15,000 spectators will be built. The foundation had already planted Scutch grass and made the ground. Now, using new technology, a field with five pitches is going to be built. He said that they are going to bring new soil to prevent water from stagnating on the ground.

The Metropolitan Corporation has signed a contract for Rs 785 million 91 thousand 189. The foundation said that this project is worth 355 million rupees.

Dhurmus Suntali Foundation, which started construction with support, stopped the work due to lack of budget. Even now, the stadium's debt is Rs 120 million, according to the foundation.