PANJIM: The State government on Sunday laid foundation stone for the construction of its ambitious State-of-art Football Stadium at Campal Parade ground. The project is expected to be completed within 18 months.
European-style stadium project, costing Rs 43 crore, with 4500 seating capacity, will be built clearing off the entire garbage dump. The existing parade ground, however, will be retained. The project is developed by the Goa State Urban Development Authority (GSUDA).
The foundation stone was laid by Union Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar, Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar and Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Urban Development Francis D’Souza.
The project was proposed by Parrikar during his tenure as Chief Minister in 2013. It may be recalled that the erstwhile Campal Stadium was demolished to make way for parking during the first International Film Festival of India in November 2004.
Speaking to media persons, D’Souza said that the work has already commenced and it is expected to be completed within 18 months including the monsoon season. “It is a small stadium with 4000 capacity, to be used for all kinds of smaller tournaments. We will be also illuminating the stadium for night matches,” he said adding that the existing parade ground will not be damaged with the project. In fact, the State functions, like Republic Day, Liberation Day, can be held at the stadium, he said.
“We will clear off the entire garbage dump. The garbage has turned into mud now. We will segregate the plastic waste and then use the remaining waste for field leveling,” Deputy Chief Minister explained.
The stadium is being constructed in compliance with the FIFA guidelines.
Director of Urban Development and the Member Secretary of the GSUDA Elvis Gomes said the stadium is being developed in consultation with Collage Design – the infrastructure consultants for the FIFA U17 World Cup in India next year.
