World's highest cricket stadium set to be built in Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh

Dharamsala will now not hold the title of having the highest cricket stadium in the world. The record will now go to a new stadium which is being built in the Lahaul Valley of Himachal Pradesh. This area is 10,000 feet above sea level and located right next to the Atal tunnel. Interestingly, unlike cricket grounds in general, this stadium will be funded by the tribal. 

According to the reports, the formalities of land transfer and other paperwork are in the final stage and will be completed soon. The design and the exact location of the stadium are also finalized. The stadium has been in the works since 2013 and the Lahaul-Spiti Cricket Association (LSCA) is behind the construction of this 10,000-seater arena. 

The forest department has demarcated a 38-bigha site for the stadium. The file will now be sent for FCA clearance. Surendra Thakur, the president of LSCA, revealed that a letter of intent has to be received from the government to start the construction process. There has been a sense of excitement as the local administration, panchayat, and residents expect cricket matches at the stadium. 

The stadium will remain shut during the winter because of snowfall

“A few days ago, association general secretary Tenzin Karpa, joint secretary Sanjay Yarpa, members Ashok Bata and Virender Thakur, and I went to cabinet minister Ram Lal Markanda, who is keen to be involved in the project,” Surendra Thakur said as quoted by the Times of India. 

Chail has the highest cricket pitch in the world, which is approximately at 8,000 feet altitude. However, Dharamshala’s Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium is the highest international cricket stadium. Patiala’s Maharaja Bhupinder Singh developed the Chail ground in Shimla district in 1893. The Dharamshala stadium is 4,780 feet in height and was built in 2003.

Speaking about the temperatures and climate in Lahaul, the LSCA president said, “The Sissu ground will remain shut in winter after the first snowfall. Between May and October, when Sissu’s temperature stays between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, will be a pleasant season for cricket. Being almost a rain-shadow area, Lahaul can be an ideal venue.”

The new ground will be 7 kilometers from the north portal of the Atal Tunnel, an engineering marvel that has made Sissu a new tourist destination of Lahaul.

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