CDA Moves Closer to Awarding $11.4 Billion Cricket Stadium Contract in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) is advancing toward the final stage of awarding the contract for a proposed cricket stadium near the Margalla Hills.

According to sources, the civic agency has recently received revised designs and supplementary financial bids from both shortlisted joint ventures. The supplementary bids will be uploaded on the E-PAD portal in the coming days, followed by the opening of financial bids after a week.

The CDA plans to establish the cricket stadium at the foothills of the Margalla Hills near Sector D-12. Recent CDA meetings revealed that the proposed stadium will offer panoramic views of the Margallas, accommodate approximately 32,000 spectators, and include parking facilities for 10,000 vehicles located about one kilometer from the stadium for general visitors.

The CDA and Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aim to replicate the Dubai cricket stadium model. Currently, the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in the twin cities is the only facility capable of hosting international matches.

Revised designs and supplementary bids received from shortlisted firms, sources say

Competing for the Rs11.4 billion project are two joint ventures: Habib Construction and ZKB-EA, and Lemar Builders and BK Consultants Pvt Ltd.

The stadium project will be executed under the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) model, where the joint ventures initially submitted designs along with their technical bids. After selecting the designs, they were instructed to submit revised designs and supplementary bids.

“Some days ago, we received revised designs along with supplementary bids. Currently, the technical team is reviewing the designs. Hopefully, in the next few days, the review process will be completed, and then CDA will upload the supplementary bids and review report on PPRA’s E-PAD,” an official stated, adding that financial bids would be opened after one week.

It is relevant to note that the selected site for the stadium lies in Zone III, where sports and recreational activities are permissible. However, the CDA will require federal government approval for allied projects, including commercial areas and hotel construction.

Sources indicated that the CDA, in collaboration with the PCB, plans to build the stadium on approximately 50 acres of the proposed Olympic Village, which spans a total of 175 acres.

In the past, after receiving land from the CDA, the PCB had initiated stadium construction in Shakarparian, but the project was subsequently abandoned following Supreme Court directives.

“This time, both CDA and PCB are very serious about the cricket stadium project, and hopefully it will begin soon. The project is a priority for Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, who oversees both CDA and PCB, making it likely that the project will proceed on a fast-track basis,” an official said.

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