Bhubaneswar: The sports department has expedited removal of existing turfs at the hockey stadium at Kalinga Sports Complex ahead of the Men's Hockey World Cup between November 28 and December 16.
The existing pink blue turf will be replaced with another one before the tournament.
A sports official said the removal of the turfs at the main stadium and the practice turf near the main complex has started. "New turfs according to Olympic regulations will be laid while the old one will be sent to Rourkela and Sambalpur hockey stadiums. The relaying will be done by June," said an official.
The department has also asked the agencies concerned to finish constriction of two additional galleries by July. The galleries will increase the stadium capacity to 16,000 from 9,000.
"Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) has set up a dedicated engineering unit for these infrastructure projects. We are hopeful of finishing all construction before the scheduled time," said sports secretary Vishal Dev.
A department official said a meeting was held every month to review the progress. "The works department has also been asked to complete construction and widening of internal roads, drains, food plaza and other infrastructure by May," said an official.
Hotel inventory
State government officials have started creating an inventory of hotel rooms and guest houses to provide quality accommodation to delegates who will turn up for the tournament.
The empowered committee looking after arrangements has held a meeting with owners of star and affordable hotel here and directed them to keep their rooms ready to accommodate the delegates and the players. The hotel owners have also been directed to ensure visitor safety and security.
"A number of delegates will visit during the event. We will need proper rooms for them and the tourism department is making efforts to arrange those. The hotel owners have been asked to be ready," said a sports and youth services official.
The fire services department has also been asked to inspect the hotels in advance and provide clearance. A special health department team periodically check the foods served to the delegates.
The hotels will also have to provide free internet services, put up LED screens in conference halls for live matches, install white boards and provide markers with television and DVD players for the players and the delegates.
Mayor Ananta Narayan Jena said they were trying their best to be good hosts.
"A number of foreign players and visitors will be here for the world cup. We don't want to lose this opportunity to create a good impression," he said.
