Kirtipur cricket ground roads are about to get a long-overdue upgrade. The Kathmandu Road Division has invited bids to blacktop roughly 1.5 kilometres of access roads that connect the main road to the Tribhuvan University (TU) International Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, with the work due to finish within three months of contract signing.
Bids Invited for Kirtipur Cricket Ground Roads
The division opened the bidding on Monday for the blacktopping project, which it has estimated at Rs 69.8 million. The roads leading to the stadium are currently unpaved, which creates dust and inconvenience for players and spectators alike. Division chief Subodh Kumar Devkota said the aim is to blacktop the roads linking the main road to the ground.
Fast-Track Bidding Timeline
The project is being handled through an expedited process. Interested construction companies can purchase bidding documents for three days and must submit their bids by October 29. The division will then open the bids and carry out technical and financial evaluations before choosing a contractor.
Devkota said the division expects to select a company and sign a contract within 15 to 20 days. After that, the contractor will have three months from the contract signing to finish the blacktopping.
Dust Control While Permanent Work Is Pending
While the permanent work waits, the division has arranged for water to be sprayed on the roads to keep the dust down. This step followed complaints from players and the Cricket Association of Nepal. Devkota said the roads around the ground are in poor condition and that blacktopping will improve their appearance and make access easier to an international venue that regularly hosts national and international matches.
Why the Timing Matters for Cricket
The ground is currently hosting the third edition of the Nepal Premier League, which began on Monday. Prime Minister Balendra Shah, Education and Sports Minister Sasmit Pokharel and Infrastructure Development Minister Sunil Lamsal attended the opening ceremony.
The improvements are also expected to benefit the ICC Under-19 Women’s T20 World Cup, which Nepal will co-host with Bangladesh from January 23. Most matches in the tournament are scheduled for the Kirtipur ground, and it will be the first time Nepal hosts the competition.
What to Watch Next
The key dates are the October 29 bid deadline, the contractor selection and contract signing expected within 15 to 20 days, and the three-month construction window that follows. If the schedule holds, the Kirtipur cricket ground roads should be paved before the women’s world cup begins in January. Contractors, engineers and cricket fans will be watching to see whether the fast-tracked process delivers on time. For another example of quick access work in Nepal, see our report on Tsum Valley access restored.
Source: The Kathmandu Post, “Roads around Kirtipur cricket ground to be blacktopped within three months”