Wankhede Stadium all set for new look

MUMBAI is getting ready to host the 2011 World Cup cricket final in style at a new and improved Wankhede Stadium which will now have colourful bucket seats and more facilities for spectators.



The plans which were revealed first to MiD DAY indicate that spectators can look forward to some comfortable cricket-viewing at the stadium which was first built in quick time (11 months, 23 days) to host the fifth and final India vs West Indies Test in January 1975. Test cricket in Mumbai was played at the Brabourne Stadium prior to the 1974-75 series which ended 3-2 in favour of the West Indians.

In March 2011, cricket lovers will throng to the Wankhede to witness the finale.

"It was a challenge for us to comply with the guidelines set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for international matches because there isn't much space to make any major changes," architect Shashi Prabhu told MiD DAY.

Prof Ratnakar Shetty, the Mumbai Cricket Association Honorary Treasurer informed that the entire cost of the Wankhede redevelopment would work out to the tune of Rs 130 to 140 crore.

While cricket lovers can look forward to a plush and comfortable stadium, the capacity has been increased by only 4000.

"We could not do much with the East and West Stands (due to railway lines and residential buildings on either sides respectively). That is why we decided to increase the height of the other two stands (North and South stand) to 24.95 metres as compared to the earlier 10.25m. It will be a multi-level stadium," added Prabhu.

The new structure will have a capacity of 39,000 spectators as compared to the earlier 35,000. "Our main aim was to give every spectator a clear view of the match, apart from comfort and world-class facilities. We have designed it in such a way that everyone can see the ball crossing the boundary line from any corner of the ground."

Asked about the not-so-substantial increase in capacity, Shetty said: "This is a redevelopment project. We have space constraints and so there was not much scope to increase capacity."

One of the highlights of the stadium is the suspended cantilever roofs. The Teflon fabric roof is lighter in weight and is also heat resistant. There will be no beam support for the roof so the spectators will have a better view.
On the roof there will be exhaust fans to suck the hot air from the stands and allow the breeze from the West
to flow in. The stadium will have 20 elevators for North and South stands.

There will be ramps for physically challenged people. Prabhu promises to have good toilets and spacious snack bars and a better drainage system. Water soaking will become much faster because of ejecto pumps. The men piloting the project are confident work will be over well before the December 2010 deadline.