Sissu village in the Lahaul valley of Himachal Pradesh is all set to house the world’s highest cricket stadium at an altitude of 10,235 feet (3,048m) above sea level and next to the Atal Tunnel. The altitude for the proposed stadium in Sissu will eclipse the Chail cricket ground, currently the world’s highest cricket stadium at 8,000 feet above sea level.
Surinder Thakur, president of Lahaul Spiti Cricket Association, said the proposal for construction of the stadium was submitted in 2013 but the issue kept hanging fire for the want of funds and connectivity issues. But the opening of Atal Tunnel Rohtang had solved the problem. “This could be one of the scenic cricket stadiums in the world with Sissu Lake on one side and Chandra River on the other side amidst the snow clad mountains in Himalayas.
“We want to develop the stadium on the lines of stadiums in New Zealand with minimum concrete structures,” he added.
Meanwhile, formalities of land transfer and other paperwork are in the final stage. Unlike other cricket grounds, this 10,000-spectator facility will be tribal-funded. One of the earlier roadblocks for the project was that the allocated land – about 12.5 acres – faces a threat from avalanches and snowstorms from the Shashin and Thang gompa glaciers that block the Chandra river. The village of Sissu is situated on the right bank of the river.
Thakur further stated that the cricket stadium in Lahaul Spiti will not only help the budding cricketers of the tribal district in honing their skills but it can also be an ideal location for holding matches in summer and monsoon season in the country.
“As Lahaul Spiti receives scanty rainfall in the months from May to September with temperatures hovering around 20 to 25 degrees, the stadium could be an ideal location for cricket matches. The high temperatures and ensuing Monsoon season in Himachal Pradesh and country make this period tough for holding matches as apart from battling opposition teams, the cricketers have to battle tough climatic conditions,” he said.
