Islamabad cricket stadium moves closer to reality as two firms clear technical bids

ISLAMABAD: Two joint ventures of construction companies have qualified to move to the financial bidding stage for the planned construction of Islamabad’s first cricket stadium, according to details related to the Capital Development Authority’s tender process.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA), working with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), plans to build the stadium on about 50 acres within a proposed Olympic Village spread over 175 acres near Sector D-12 at the foothills of the Margalla Hills. The project has an estimated cost of Rs11.4 billion and is to be carried out under the Engineering Procured and Construction (EPC) model.

In response to the CDA tender, bids were submitted by Habib Construction, ZKB-EA, and a joint venture comprising Lemar Builders, Kingcrete and BK Consultants. The technical bids of the two joint ventures were approved, placing them in contention for the award of the construction contract.

Design review to precede financial bids

Under the EPC model, the competing joint ventures submitted designs along with their technical proposals. Sources said the submitted designs will now be examined by a CDA experts committee, which may also seek input from the PCB. Once one design is selected, possibly after modifications, it will be shared with both qualified joint ventures, which will then be asked to submit financial bids. The contract is expected to go to the lowest bidder.

Strong competition is expected between the two contenders, both of which have experience in stadium-related work. One of the groups was involved in the construction of the Peshawar Cricket Stadium, while the other participated in work on Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Consultancy decision still pending

The CDA has also received bids from two consultant firms for project supervision. These included a Pakistani firm in a joint venture with a Turkish company, and Nespak. However, an official said the authority was considering hiring only a government-owned consultant instead of selecting from the firms that had already submitted bids.

A decision on that matter is expected soon. If the relevant authorities agree, the CDA will approach government-owned consultants and seek their financial bids for supervision of the project.

Land use and environmental questions

The area identified for the stadium falls in Zone III, where sports and recreational activities are allowed. However, the CDA will need federal government approval for associated development, including commercial areas and hotel construction. A few months ago, the authority sent a summary to the interior ministry for that purpose.

Separately, the Islamabad Wildlife Management Board (IWMB) wrote to the CDA in January this year, asking it to share the layout plan of the proposed stadium. "With reference to the advertisement issued by CDA inviting e-bids for the construction of cricket stadium near sector D-12 Islamabad, under EPC mode, this office seeks clarification regarding the exact location and layout plan of the proposed project site," it stated.

The IWMB letter also asked whether the proposed site falls within or overlaps the notified boundaries of the national park. "Whether the proposed site falls within, abuts, or otherwise overlaps the notified boundaries of Margalla Hills National Park (MHNP) or any area falling within 100-metre buffer zone declared as protected area under the Islamabad Nature Conservation and Wildlife Management Act, 2024."

The board further cited Section 14 of the law, stating: "An area falling within 100 metres outside the boundary of a national park or a wildlife sanctuary shall be considered a protected area buffer zone, provided it is state land or acquired for this purpose. Development in a buffer zone, including structures, roads, buildings, or any other infrastructure or facility, shall be designed and operated in such manner that disturbance to wildlife in National Park minimised," read their letter.