The preparations for the ICC World Cup 2011 is expected to gather pace now as the ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) has approved three stadium development projects worth Tk 152 crore yesterday to facilitate smooth holding of the showcase event in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh is co-host of the cricket's mega event along with India and Sri Lanka and has been awarded eight matches including two quarterfinals and the opening ceremony.
India will host highest 29 matches out of 49 including one quarterfinal, semifinal and the final and a total of 12 matches including one quarterfinal and semifinal will be played in Sri Lanka.
The development and upgradation of the three stadia are among five development projects worth Tk 584 crore which was approved by the ECNEC at its meeting at the NEC on Tuesday.
While briefing reporters, Planning Minister AK Khandker said that Tk 293 crore of the total project cost would be met from the national exchequer while the rest Tk 291 crore would be spent from foreign aid.
Prime Minister and ECNEC chairperson Sheikh Hasina presided over the meeting, attended by senior cabinet ministers and senior officials concerned.
The projects are maintenance and development of Bangabandhu National Stadium at a cost of Tk 31 crore to prepare the venue for the World Cup's inaugural ceremony, maintenance and development of Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, the home of Bangladesh cricket, at a cost of Tk 64 crore to convert it as an ICC standard stadium and maintenance and development of Fatullah Cricket Stadium at a cost of Tk 57 crore to upgrade for the cricket's biggest extravaganza.
Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has been lagging behind in preparation and with only 17 months in hand there has hardly been any improvement in this regard, but the approval will now pave the way for uplifting the facilities of the three major venues. The tender would be floated soon through the National Sports Council (NSC).
The venue inspection team however will arrive in Dhaka in October and after completion of the inspection the match schedule will be announced the following month.
The BCB, which is also planning to host a couple of matches in Chittagong, will have to wait for budgetary approval for the port city venue as they have just submitted the DPP (development project planning) to the NSC.
Meanwhile, the ECNEC has also approved the Tk 392 crore Siddirganj-Maniknagar 230KV power transmission line and Tk 40 crore expansion and development of Chittagong College to Kapash Gola Road project under Chittagong Development Authority.
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