The preliminary works of the proposed Gautam Buddha International Cricket Stadium in Chitwan is set to resume on Tuesday.

The project was suspended on May 29 after locals knocked down the galvanised zinc, which was used as a temporary fence. Sitaram Kattel, chairman of Dhurmus-Suntali Foundation which is carrying out the project, said in Bharatpur on Monday that they are back to resume initial construction work. "The field office will open from Tuesday morning and we continue those works which is possible in this rainy season," said Kattel. The locals had bulldozed the fence of the western side of the stadium due to dispute in expansion of road.

Kattel also held discussions with the officials of Stadium Construction Main Support Committee coordinated by Krishna Kumar Dallakoti, the chief of Chitwan District Coordination Committee. "We have agreed to create a favorable environment for the construction and look for more resources to build the stadium," said Kattel.

The Foundation had signed the memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Bharatpur Metropolitan City in Kathmandu on January 30 which paved the way for the construction of the proposed stadium. The stadium will be expanded across 20 bighas and six katthas of land at the Forestry University premises in Bharatpur. Upon the completion, the stadium will be handed over to the Bharatpur Metropolitan City.

The Foundation has roughly estimates the costs of the stadium at around Rs 3 billion. The Foundation plans to complete the project solely through fund generated from donations. But the donations drive has not met the expectations of the Foundations. After the locals vandalised the fences, local leaders of political parties, District Coordination Committee and Bharatpur Metropolitan City called for everyone concerned not to disrupt the project.

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