Imphal: The Manipur Cricket Association is struggling to get the Luwangpokpa cricket stadium back in shape after it hosted Prime Minister Narendra Modi who inaugurated a set of projects at the venue.

Modi made a whirlwind tour of the state on March 16 to open the 105th Indian Science Congress at Manipur University, Imphal. At Luwangpokpa cricket stadium, which served as a single platform, the Prime Minister inaugurated the current cricket stadium and laid the foundation stones of other projects using remote button systems.

The remnants of the VVIP pandal, which was erected on the outfield, particularly on the long-on areas till the deep covers, are yet to be removed. Rollers were used to flatten the rock granules used to erect the pandal. The holes on the outfield as well in the 30-yard circle left by the erected wooden panels to cut off the seating areas for the public are yet to be filled up. Part of two concrete walls, demolished to make way for two emergency exits, are yet to be repaired. However, the pitch has been left intact.

MCA secretary S. Priyananda Singh said: "We have requested the authorities to remove the rock granules but till now nothing has been done. Several holes are yet to filled up and, in short, everything is in a shambles. We have volunteered to pick up all the litter but other areas need immediate attention."

"We have nothing against using the ground for inaugurations but we have been running from pillar to post to repair the damage," he added.

"This is the only international-standard pitch in the state and we have been holding various tournaments here," Singh said.

He added that the MCA Elite Tournament for the season was on but had been put on hold since March 6.

"At present, we are holding other tournaments, including MCA Plate Tournament, at another venue. Other tournaments, including inter-school cricket, under-13 and under-15 boys and girls and Women Challengers Trophy are also in the queue," he said.

He said BCCI curator for the Northeast, S.B. Singh, will visit on Friday for a field visit as part of inspection and development of the ground as well as to assess the feasibility of holding BCCI tournaments in the future.