International-level cricket stadium proposed in Konaje: DC

MANGALURU

The Dakshina Kannada district administration has proposed to the government for constructing an international-level cricket stadium at Konaje near here, for which there was long-pending demand, said Deputy Commissioner K.V. Rajendra.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of the Brand Mangaluru Souharda cricket tournament here on Sunday, Dr. Rajendra said a proposal has been sent to the State government to construct the stadium on 22 acres of plain government land. The place is about 100 metres away from the arch of Mangalore University.

Dr. Rajendra said the Karnataka State Cricket Association representatives have seen the proposed place. The proposal by the district administration has been placed before the Regional Commissioner. On his approval, it will be placed before the government for the grant of land.

The Deputy Commissioner said the KSCA will be asked to make investment for construction of the stadium within one year of the grant of land in Konaje.

The district administration had earlier earmarked government land in Bondel for the cricket stadium. Because of lack of access roads, it was not approved and the land was allocated for construction of Kannada Bhavan.

The district administration dropped having the stadium in Puttur as KSCA was not in favour of a stadium outside Mangaluru and there was no scope for having two stadiums in a district, he said.

Earlier, inaugurating the tournament, Dr. Rajendra said the district administration is taking steps to harness the tourism potential of beaches in Mangaluru.