Though the MCA's joint honorary secretary, Rashid Kudroli, said the state's sports secretary Suresh Salvi had assured him the track would be laid only in murrum and earth, fears persist. Many cricket clubs and individuals have written to the MCA raising objections to the construction of the track.The walking track is part of a massive beautification project taken up by the Oval-Cooperage Residents Association (OCRA).

According to Kudroli, Salvi told him the state government had given permission to OCRA for the track because, till the 1950s, there used to be a horse track on the ground, which later fell into disuse. Kudroli said Salvi had also informed him that the beautification project was subject to the conditions that the track would be laid in hard murrum, without cement or mortar, and that it would be constructed at ground levelto prevent accumulation of water.

The track has come in for considerable flak from the main lessees of the ground, the Sachivalaya Gymkhana, Sydenham College and Elphinstone College (all affiliated to the MCA), who have written letters to MCA and the state sports department.

Another lessee, former Test cricketer Dilip Vengsarkar's Elf Academy (not affiliated to MCA), which coaches young cricketers on the Oval, was the first to oppose the move, saying the track would cut into the boundary and prove fatal for players.

Numerous cricket clubs have also taken a strong exception to the laying of the track. S M Williams of the Sachivalaya Gymkhana said: ``Players' safety is prime, and the walking track will endanger it.''

Kudroli recalled that earlier, the then sports secretary Malti Tambe-Vaidya had stripped off the tar road running through the ground. But her action met with strong opposition from residents of the area, who wanted the thoroughfare for their ``convenience.'' The road was replaced and hassince remained an ``eyesore'' on the verdant expanse, Kudroli said.

In April this year, the OCRA was reprimanded by N U Shrote, deputy director, Sports and Youth Affairs, when he saw concrete being used on sample patch of the track. But Salvi said it was a misunderstanding. ``I have assured the MCA and cricket clubs that the track will be built in murrum and earth and will be levelled with the ground,'' he affirmed. Oval-Cooperage Residents' Association member Shirin Bharucha was unavailable for comment.