Left to Rot
The Nahar Singh Stadium in Faridabad, one of India's once-largest cricket stadiums, has been abandoned and left to decay. The stadium, last used for an official match in 2006, has been plagued by setbacks and remains unfinished more than four years after the rebuild began.
A Fall from Grace
The Nahar Singh Stadium, constructed in 1981, was once a leading venue in India. It hosted eight ODIs and over 50 domestic matches between 1982 and 2006. However, in 2007, it was deemed unsuitable for top-level cricket due to poor ground and pitch conditions, leading to its decline.
From Glory to Graveyard
The state of the abandoned stadium is disheartening, resembling more of a graveyard than a sporting arena. Crumbling walls, steps, and seats, combined with rubble, dirt, and overgrown foliage, paint a sorry picture for what was once a vibrant and celebrated venue.
Renovation Attempts and Setbacks
Efforts to restore the Nahar Singh Stadium were granted years later, with plans to increase seating capacity to 40,000 and completely renovate the old building. However, as of now, only 85% construction of Phase I has been completed, with the budget requirement increasing by 80%.
Missed Deadlines and Reasons Behind Delays
The renovation work has missed its deadline for four consecutive years, due to factors such as the coronavirus pandemic, improper planning, execution, and delays in releasing funds. Phase II of the project is awaiting government funding before proceeding.
A Passionate Plea for Revival
A Facebook group called 'Bring Back Cricket In Nahar Singh Stadium, Faridabad' was formed in 2016, with locals and cricket fans expressing their desire to see games played in the forgotten ground again. While there was hope with the renovation plans, the group remains active as Phase 1 remains incomplete.
An Uncertain Future
Despite reassurances from the MC Executive Engineer in April that work will resume soon, four months later, it is still unclear what will happen to the future of the Nahar Singh Stadium. Cricket fans and the community eagerly await news of its revival.
