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Cricket (Sport)

Islamabad's Elusive Cricket Stadium: A Decades-Long Quest

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) of Islamabad has been grappling with finding an ideal location for a cricket stadium and bus terminals due to multiple changes made to the city's master plan over the years. In 1960, the Greek firm Doxiadis Associates designated 2,250 acres along Srinagar Highway as the National Sports Centre, but it was later incorporated into the Margalla Hills National Park in 1979. The CDA has since faced obstacles in developing a transportation centre and international cricket stadium, with Sector I-8 originally reserved for the purpose being converted into a residential area for bureaucrats.

Key Takeaways:

  • The CDA has been unable to finalize a location for a cricket stadium and bus terminals due to multiple changes to Islamabad's master plan.
  • The 2,250-acre area along Srinagar Highway, originally designated as the National Sports Centre in 1960, was later made part of the Margalla Hills National Park in 1979.
  • The CDA's proposal to build a cricket stadium in F-9 Park sparked public outcry, with Senator Mushahid Hussain Sayed expressing opposition due to environmental and security concerns.
  • CDA Chairman Mohammad Ali Randhawa clarified that there is no plan to construct a stadium in F-9 Park, instead proposing to improve the existing cricket ground.
  • The CDA plans to hire consultants to identify suitable locations for the cricket stadium, considering the city's master plan and avoiding public parks.
  • The D-12 site near the Margalla Hills was initially earmarked for a stadium but remains unused.
  • A CDA official suggested locating the cricket stadium and bus terminals outside the city to mitigate traffic congestion and security issues.

Statistics:

  • 2,250 acres: The area along Srinagar Highway designated as the National Sports Centre in 1960.
  • Multiple changes: The number of amendments made to Islamabad's master plan affecting the cricket stadium and bus terminals locations.
  • 1960: The year the Greek firm Doxiadis Associates prepared Islamabad's master plan, including the National Sports Centre designation.
  • 1979: The year the area was incorporated into the Margalla Hills National Park, halting development activities.
  • 2018: The year the Supreme Court scrapped a Pakistan Cricket Board project to build a stadium in the area.

Sources:

*

1. Dawn Newspaper, Islamabad

— (no date mentioned in the source, it's a current article)

— "CDA chairman rules out constructing proposed cricket stadium at Fatimah Jinnah Park" (Social media and article directly mentioned in the original text)

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