It’s an unavoidable sacrifice that Jagmohan Dalmiya & Co will have to make for the sake of the much-needed revamp of the Eden Gardens. If the hallowed stadium gets to host the India versus Sri Lanka Test match this November, then the CAB will have to make do with a sacrifice of 40,000 seats.

Ending years of wait, the CAB administration has undertaken the welcome project of overhauling the outdated stadium structure. And the audacious mission comprises demolishing the concrete stands of the stadium, and rebuilding them.

Roping in reputed architects, engineers and reliable infrastructure firms, the CAB has already got started with the makeover, keeping in mind that Eden’s overhaul has to be completed by the time the 2011 World Cup is round the corner.

And to start off, the first phase of the renovation project involves pulling down the outdated, concrete stands. The CAB has identified four stands — blocks B, C, K and L — which need to be demolished right away. And after they are “crushed”, as it is technically called, brand new stands, with spacious seating arrangements, will be put in place. The four blocks in question are adjacent to the BC Roy Club House, which houses the pavilions, CAB’s administration office and the press box.

However, with the demolition of the four blocks underway just days from now, as many as 40,000 seats will be off-limits for use over the next four to five months. Eden’s overall existing capacity is close to 90,000 seats and after the makeover, the seating capacity is expected to come down to around 73,500.

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