Agartala, August 16:
Chief Minister Dr Manik Saha on Sunday said the under-construction international cricket stadium at Narsingarh would take another one-and-a-half to two months to complete, after inspecting the site and holding discussions with the contractors executing the project.
Speaking to reporters after Sunday’s inspection, Dr Saha said the project had faced delays “for various reasons” during construction, but that he had personally taken up the matter with the contractors to expedite the work.
The Tripura Cricket Association had earlier stated in July that construction would be completed by August.
“I have been president of the Tripura Cricket Association, and sport has always been part of my life. For a long time, there has been a wish to see when this would be completed,” Dr Saha said, adding that after discussions with those executing the project, the contractors had revised their earlier estimate of one-and-a-half months to about two months for completion.
The Chief Minister said he had impressed upon the contractors the need to expedite the work, noting that since the venue had already been designated an international stadium, it was necessary for international matches to be held there.
He said the facility held particular significance for cricket enthusiasts in Tripura, including players and coaches associated with the game.
Dr Saha said he had inspected the seating arrangements at the venue and found them to be of international standard, comparing the stadium’s scale to venues in Gujarat and Guwahati.
He expressed hope that a match could be held at the stadium next year, and said he had already held preliminary discussions with the BCCI on the matter, with further discussions to follow.
According to details shared alongside the Chief Minister’s remarks, the Narsingarh stadium will be Tripura’s first international cricket stadium and the second international-standard cricket venue in the Northeast.
Located close to the Bangladesh border, it is expected to draw cricket followers from both Tripura and neighbouring Bangladesh.
A total of ₹185.13 crore has been allocated for the project, with work worth around ₹178 crore reportedly completed as of June 30, 2026. Despite the delay from the original timeline, the pace of construction was described as currently satisfactory.
The 22,000-capacity stadium is in the advanced stages of indoor and finishing work, including an IBM system, central air-conditioning, a main pavilion, a media pavilion and a TV production building. Roofing, ACP work, false ceiling installation and fire-fighting systems are also under construction, with the required materials already procured.
The floodlighting system for day-night matches is also nearing completion. Foundations for six high-masts have been finished, the floodlights have reached the stadium premises, and the masts are ready for installation.
With the project entering its final phase, the stadium is expected to strengthen cricket infrastructure in Tripura and the Northeast, and could pave the way for major domestic and international fixtures, including IPL matches, once completed.
