Dhanbad DRM Sudhir Kumar inaugurates the media gallery at railway stadium on Wednesday. Picture by Gautam Dey

Mediapersons can take it easy while covering the forthcoming Dhanbad Premier League (DPL).

Dhanbad Railway Stadium, the venue for the tournament modelled on IPL — BCCI’s cash-rich version of T20 cricket — got a media gallery on Wednesday. The league will kick off with the inaugural ceremony on June 1.

Divisional railway manager of Dhanbad, East Central Railway (ECR), Sudhir Kumar, inaugurated the box in the presence of senior divisional commercial manager Dayanand, senior divisional operating manager (Sr DOM) Ved Prakash and senior divisional engineer (co-ordination) Bans Narayan Singh among others. The officials also visited the dressing room and other sections of the stadium to take stock of preparations for DPL.

Speaking to The Telegraph, Dayanand, who also holds additional charge of the sports officer of Dhanbad division of ECR, said the media gallery was constructed in a year at the cost of Rs 20 lakh in accordance with BCCI norms. It can seat 40 people.

“The gallery, complete with electricity connection, urinals, toilets and a food zone, will facilitate live telecast of matches from the stadium. A private channel, News 11, has been roped in to beam the matches live. The separate enclosure will help unhindered coverage,” he said, adding that necessary equipment could be installed during the tournament as there is provision for electricity and other facilities.

The authorities are also planning to develop a state-of-the-art gymnasium besides an umpire’s stand at a cost of Rs 40 lakh for which work order has been issued.

“If everything goes according to plans, construction will begin from December this year. The gym, which will boast all modern equipment, will benefit cricketers, particularly railway players who regularly practise at the stadium,” Daynand said.

S.A. Rahman (Junior), general secretary of Dhanbad Cricket Association that is hosting the league, thanked the railway authorities for upgrading the stadium, saying it would help promote cricket in Dhanbad and its surrounding areas. “Located in the heart of the city, the railway stadium plays an important in development of cricket in Dhanbad. A number of coaching camps is regularly organised here,” Rahman said.

The grounds, situated near Dhanbad railway station, has a seating capacity for 5,000. It hosted a number of Ranji Trophy matches, including the ties between Rajasthan and Jharkhand and Jharkhand and Goa, in 2010-11, and also the Jharkhand-Assam clash in 2011-12.

The plate group matches of Cooch Behar Trophy were also held here in 2008 besides some Under-22 fixtures of the BCCI in 2010.