Karachi: Before the roars of the spectators wrap the National Bank stadium, the echoes of the hit hammers, the iron marriage machines and the flickering engines prevail in the iconic place.
It is being renewed for the next ICC Champions trophy. And since the renovations began at the end of October last year, the list of planned updates is quite long.
It includes an enclosure of hospitality of a new player and officials at the En University; A four -story building totally full. To improve the transmission coverage, 350 LED lights are installed in the imposing light posts. Two digital screens are also promised on both sides of the ground along with the installation of 5,000 new chairs to improve the comfort of the viewer.
The new hospitality enclosure was in its final stages on Monday. But seeing only new frames configured in the light posts with the lamps that have not yet been installed makes it question if the PCB would deliver the stadium to the ICC, as promised on January 31. The installation of the two giant screens had also begun, had only begun, with foundations for their high columns that are being prepared.
It seems absolutely impossible to contemplate the renewal work that is completed within the deadline, but the staff delivered responsibility is the transmission of trust.
“Everything is under control and the stadium will be ready for 31,” said the PCB director for the Chauhan Billal Project Sunrise.
Bilal, who had worked with the president of PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, with different projects during the time of the latter as the Punjab Prime Minister, was cornered by the Mohsin for the task of the National Stadium last year.
“When the president shared with us his ambition, our first reaction was that it was impossible to complete the task at the given time,” said Bilal. “But how he gave us an inspired belief of complete support that we could do it.”
Around 600 workers are currently working under Billal during the day, while almost half of them work all night. Bilal said that none of these workers has visited the home since the renewal work began.
“It has been the same with me,” said the project manager from Lahore. “I arrive here at eight in the morning and I’m going to two at night. “As you can imagine, I have no personal life.”
Bilal mentioned the last -minute procedure problems that occur and delay tasks, but also show the range of challenges that a project of this level could bring.
The panels that will be installed in the new building would be launched from the port of Karachi only on Sunday night, with its installation scheduled for the next morning.
“These are the kind of things we are dealing with, but sometimes it is sad to see the people who attacked us,” he complained.
While it is commendable that most of the “civil work”, as Bilal said, has been completed, the work that remains is undeniably worrying.
Do not return to PCB and MOHSIN now.
The board would be a hero or zero to assume such a gigantic task. For now, you can only expect the National Bank Stadium , which begins on February 19.
A League match of the Tri-Nation series, which will involve Pakistan, South Africa and New Zealand, February 12 and its last two days later will act as the test of clothing for the Champions Trophy Days before the first game.
Posted in Dawn, January 29, 2025
