Eden gardens decked with modern facilities

Kolkata, Nov 28(UNI) Eden Gardens is waiting to be unveiled in new beauty when the India-Pakistan Test match gets underway this Friday.

Talking to UNI, CAB Joint-secretary Samar Pal said, ''We have spent around Rs one crore on giving a facelift to this grand venue and we are happy with what we have managed to do.'' While the galleries look awashed with paints, the seats have also changed giving spectators more armspace. While the High Court end gallery and the Western Stands look a beauty from the club house, the Eastern stands have the huge giant screen, which will be fully operational this time unlike previous years.

The pavilion has also undergone massive renovation. ''While all the VIP Boxes have been airconditioned, the press box is a wi-fi zone flushed with the latest international facility. Besides this time we have arranged for the photographers to click from both the High Court end and western side, besides the traditional spot just next to the pavilion,' Pal said.

Then he added, ''This is not the end, the ground is also a wi-fi zone so the lensmen can send their pictures right from the ground instead of having to climb all the way up to the press box.'' The players' dressing room has also been converted into a virtual five-star facility, with new flooring, sitting arrangements, swanky showers and stylish massage and rest rooms along with modern bathroom facilities.

Pal said care has been taken to make sure that every part of the stadium got a new look. The indoor facilities of the eden now has the latest infrastructure including a state-of-the-art gymnasium and a swimming pool where the players can now cool off.

The last time India and Sri Lanka tried to play here, the match had to be abandoned due to rains. Since then the CAB has worked overtime to make sure no such obstacles presented themselves.

''We have not only kept the super-soppers ready, the drainage has been revamped. While the peripherial drains of the ground have been relaid with powerful pumps, the drain surrounding the stadium has also been cleaned and relaid. But we hope all that won't be necessary,' he added.

So when one enters the Eden Gardens this Friday, they will get a whiff of new paints, enjoy better facility and feel more at home with this grand old structure.

UNI