Cuttack: Putting buzz about demolition of Barabati stadium here to rest, former Odisha Olympic Assocation (OOA) and Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) secretary Ashirbad Behera Sunday said that there is not an iota of truth behind the rumour.
Briefing mediapersons at OCA conference hall here, Behera said, “Barabati stadium will be renovated and there is no question of demolishing the iconic structure. Some portions of the stadium have become weak which calls for immediate restoration. As these structures were built way back in 1960, they need restoration and renovation.”
Behera also said that then minister Basant Biswal had faced stiff resistance during an expansion plan for Gallery No-7 in the 1980s. And, now this gallery has become weak, he added.
“We have seen protests, whenever there is plan for any developmental work for the stadium. Efforts are now being made by the state government in collaboration with BCCI and OCA to transform Barabati into a world-class stadium. However, some people with vested interests are misleading people of Odisha through media on the pretext of heritage structure which is highly unacceptable,” he informed.
Behera also said that the state government has been attaching utmost importance to growth and development of cricket in the state while OOA and OCA are working in coordination with the government. “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will lay the foundation stone for the infrastructure development work at Barabati stadium February 27 through videoconferencing. I convey my gratitude to the Chief Minister, 5T and Nabin Odisha Chairman Kartik Pandian and OCA officials for the mega initiative,” he said.