Master plan for Kirtipur Cricket Stadium approved

Kathmandu: The government has approved a master plan for an international-standard cricket stadium at Tribhuvan University (TU) in Kirtipur, designating it as a national priority.

The Council of Ministers approved the plan on Thursday, following a proposal from the Ministry of Urban Development. The stadium is estimated to cost around Rs 10 billion.

Minister Kulman Ghising, overseeing Energy, Water Resources, Irrigation, Physical Infrastructure, Transport, and Urban Development, said the stadium is Nepal’s first international cricket ground. He highlighted its strategic importance for promoting international sports and tourism and confirmed that construction will proceed with resources ensured under the master plan.

The government has also cleared the finalization of the land agreement, environmental impact assessment, and tender process for the second phase of the stadium’s expansion. Ghising emphasized that the project will continue as a national priority without budget delays.

The land contract between Tribhuvan University and the Nepal Cricket Association is set to expire in six months. The Cabinet has directed relevant bodies to formalize an agreement with the Ministry of Youth and Sports/National Sports Council to secure the land for the stadium under prevailing laws.

The first phase of construction is ongoing and aims to be completed ahead of the Nepal Premier League (NPL), scheduled to start on  November 17.