The dream of developing a full-fledged cricket stadium in Mangaluru remains unfulfilled, three years after the Dakshina Kannada district administration reserved 20 acres of land at Mary Hill for the project. Despite finalizing a proposal with the Dakshina Kannada Cricket Association (DKCA) in 2021, progress has stalled, with only the land reservation in place.
The primary cause of the delay is concerns from local residents who fear losing access to an approach road if the stadium is constructed. According to DKCA vice-president Mahabala Marla, the association has plans to develop a turf stadium suitable for district-level events and training budding cricketers. “Out of the 20 acres reserved, nearly 10.5 acres are allocated for the turf. However, a road currently passes through the reserved land, and a new road needs to be developed for residents’ convenience. A proposal has been submitted to the Mangaluru City Corporation (MCC) for this purpose,” Marla explained. Additionally, a drinking water pipeline that runs through the land must be relocated.
Once these issues are resolved, the DKCA, which is affiliated with the Karnataka State Cricket Association, plans to begin work on the stadium. Marla emphasized that while the stadium may not meet international standards, it will be a full-fledged facility for district-level events and coaching. The initial work will focus on developing a ground of about 75 yards.
Deputy Director of Youth Empowerment and Sports, Pradeep D’Souza, confirmed that the MCC has decided to develop an alternative road for nearby residents. He noted that there is no grant from the department for the project, and the association will undertake the work independently. The project is expected to move forward once the road issue is resolved.