The first decision made by the cabinet meeting of the KP Sharma Oli-led government in Asad 2081 was, "Within 300 days, necessary infrastructure including a parapet for spectators to sit at the Tribhuvan University Cricket Ground in Kirtipur, installation of floodlights for night games, etc."

If the work had been done as per the agreement, all the work would have been completed by Baisakh 24 and a well-organized structure would have been created that would have allowed games to be played even at night. However, despite repeated extensions after the work was not completed on time, the reconstruction work in the stadium has not been completed. Although the work on the parapet was completed a few days ago, the work on the floodlights is still pending. 

The Nepal Cricket Association (CAN) has already made public the schedule on Sunday, stating that 23 out of the total 32 matches of the second edition of the Nepal Premier League (NPL) will be played under floodlights. The NPL will be held from Mangsir 1 in three days. However, it is becoming uncertain whether the floodlight work will be completed. Focusing on this issue, Kantipur Daily's Vivek Pokharel spoke to Saurabh Shah, project manager of construction company Bishan-Ishwari Joint Venture Lalitpur : Even with only 3 days left for the NPL, the floodlight installation work has not been completed . What percentage of the work has been completed so far?

 The work of installing lights on one pole is underway. The main work was the installation of lights. Which is in the final stage. And, after that, the work of ‘aiming’ and light management will be done. So far, the work of installing lights has been divided into 70 percent and the work of aiming and light management is 30 percent.

Of that, the work of installing lights is almost complete. Along with the installation of lights, the work of installing panels, earthing and cables is also being completed. Aiming work is being done by making small flags all over the field to indicate which of the 420 lights on all six poles will shine where. The work of aiming lights on four poles has been completed. Now the work of aiming on two poles is left. As soon as the work of installing lights is completed, the work of aiming the remaining two poles will also be completed. At the present time, it can be said that more than 85 percent of the work has been done. Now about 15 percent is left. There is a risky work to be done by climbing the poles. 

Can you guys finish the work? Can NPL games be played at night?

Our work is delayed. There are many reasons for the delay. We are working to do it even under pressure. We can do it anyway. It would have been easier if there was less time for testing. But we are determined to do it even in such a short period of time. This light is not like the light used in other studios. It is one of the best lights in Asia. It came from Europe. Even when 1-2 pole lights are on, it is bright enough. We had seen its lighting capacity during Tihar. This is the design we made for this purpose.  

If the work of connecting the lights and aiming is not completed, can your team provide an alternative arrangement so that we can play at night?

We are preparing to light the lights for the NPL 2 days before the game. We also see in other countries that what to do if the lights do not work for some reason? There is an option. If there is a problem, the game should be played during the day. However, we did not think about that. I do not think that will happen. We are working to ensure that such a situation does not arise.  

The deadline has been extended several times because the work was not completed as per the agreement, and can we say that there is no time now?

The deadline was extended twice. The time period we had as per the agreement was very short. I don't know about that. However, this work was being done for the first time in Nepal. All the work was said to be done as per international standards. To meet that standard, we had to bring the goods from outside, register them, and test them.

Our time was spent there more than in the field. The design of the pole to hold the floodlights was changed. The lighting materials that were supposed to come from Europe were delayed. It is true that the design change, the first proposed floodlights not getting approval due to the rain, led to the delay in going through the new process. Everyone knows this. The government should have understood us at a time like this and given us time. 

Now, the question is how to make the floodlights light up in NPL. Our team has started. We have also brought technicians and related engineers from India and got them working. People have also come from the company. 150 people, including regular workers, are working in shifts.  

Now, the general cricket fans are excited to watch the NPL under floodlights. How do you assure them about the current situation?

All Nepali people understand. No one wants any kind of disruption. This is the first time that a cricket match is going to be held at night in Nepal. I think they will understand if there is any problem. Some people will even ask questions when they come to the field. We are trying to turn on the floodlights. Everyone has seen it. If it doesn't work while working, there will be some alternative.

Having said that, is there any fear and worry in your team that the floodlights won't be able to be turned on?

At this time, we are not thinking about that. Our team is focused on working. If for some reason it doesn't work, it will also be resolved. Right now, the focus is on how to get the rest of the work done. Right now, the focus is only on how to get the work done quickly and how to hold the game under floodlights.