Calcutta: The International Cricket Council (ICC)’s Interim Evaluation Report of the Eden Gardens and the Wankhede Stadium, which was filed on December 6 last year, is in The Telegraph’s possession. Besides the general observations in the lead-up to the World Cup, the scathing comments specific to the Eden are being reproduced.

Here goes:

This report is provided in advance of the comprehensive reports that will be provided to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) in the coming week. Attached to this summary are the comments of Professor Eugene van Vuuren, ICC stadium consultant, who has inspected both venues and discussed the construction programmes and timeframes with the contractors.

The Host Agreement provides a deadline for completion of all construction work at venues to be used for ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC) 2011 of three months prior to the commencement of the event, which was taken to be November 30, 2010. Neither of the venues has met this deadline and it is not considered possible for either of them to be completed by the end of the year. Indeed, both venues readily accept that the construction programmes will not be completed by this time.

In his assessment, Professor Van Vuuren believes that the construction programmes at each venue may be completed by late January in the best case scenario. This pre-supposes no unforeseen delays or further impacts on construction by the current poor weather.

GENERAL OBSERVATIONS

Following completion of the building works, there are a number of activities that need to be completed, including:

Site clearance

Landscaping and necessary beautification of the grounds

Interior finishing and furnishing

Facility commissioning and certification by local authorities

Securing of the venue precinct perimeters and installation of entry gates

Testing of all facilities including certification of the floodlight lux levels

Installation of temporary infrastructure required specifically for the CWC

Additionally, prior to CWC matches taking place, event suppliers and contractors need access to the venues to commence their work. This will include signage contractors, the event accreditation service supplier, vendors and caterers.

If construction is not completed by January 15, it is not possible to confirm that the venues will be in a suitable condition to be handed over by January 31.

Aside from the comments provided in Professor van Vuuren’s report, the following significant observations from the inspection tour should be noted. Further details will be contained in the full inspection reports that will be forwarded at the conclusion of the ongoing inspection tour.

SPECIFIC TO CALCUTTA

There were a large number of workers on site, however there is more work necessary at this venue than at any other.

The weather has been a hindrance to progress and may well have an impact on the ability of the contractors to complete the project. A decision will be made shortly on whether to commence building the roof on two of the blocks.

If the roof were not to be built, the chances of completion would be greater and there would be no impact on staging CWC matches at the venue.

Unfortunately, during the inspection meetings the venue administration did not recognise the requirements of the event and were often unwilling to discuss or agree to what was required. There was a tendency to rely on experiences of previous World Cup matches which took place in 1996 and are not wholly relevant to the needs of stakeholders for the CWC 2011. A meeting with Jagmohan Dalmiya was useful in explaining a few of the issues, however he was not present for discussion on the detailed requirements of the inspection team.

Aside from the construction work, following are a number of significant matters that remain outstanding:

Tickets and hospitality currently offered for the use of ICC sponsors are unacceptable

Sightscreens at both ends need to be raised

A suitable location for the D/L manager needs to be found. The upstairs room is not appropriate.

Medical and anti-doping

Photographers positions are required on both sides of the ground rather than just one

An overflow location for media and NRH needs to be identified and demarcated

Both the main camera gantries need to be raised in height

A suitable location for the mid-wicket camera needs to be confirmed — sightlines from the current location have been impacted by the new stand

Uninterrupted back-up power is required for the floodlights and replay screens

It will be necessary to re-inspect both venues and take a decision on the viability of staging CWC matches as currently scheduled. In the meantime, weekly update reports with photographs are required from each venue.