Odisha will put its best foot forward by organising cultural extravaganza, widening roads, increasing the sitting capacity, new swimming pool as it hosts the World Cup Hockey 2018.

Kalinga Stadium, the venue, will be refurbished and the approach roads will be widened. Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi reviewed the progress of scheduled works on Tuesday with Sports secretary Vishal Kumar Dev presenting updates.

Detail traffic movement plan was also discussed. The issues relating to the renovation of the stadium for an additional sitting facility, construction of new swimming pool, water filtration plant, construction and widening of new internal roads in Kalinga stadium, accommodation plan, detail catering plan of the players and officials, travel and local transportation, traffic & security etc were discussed.

It was decided to complete the construction of east, north and south galleries by 31 May and swimming pool by 31 March. Water filtration plant for both the pitches would be completed by 20 of May. Mr Dev appraised that IDCO has set up a dedicated engineering unit for expeditious execution of the infrastructural projects in the stadium.

Chief Secretary Sri Padhi directed works department to complete construction and widening of internal roads, drain, food plaza etc by May, 2018.

Principal Secretary Tourism Dr Mona Sharma appraised that so far an inventory of 412 hotels in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Puri was prepared for the accommodation of players and visitors.

Around 78 rooms of PSUs, Technical colleges, Corporation guest houses have also been identified. Around 8600 beds have been made available for online booking for the ensuing World Cup. Other inventories are being made.

The land allottees of newly coming up hotels on Bhubaneswar have been asked to complete their hotels before the World Cup and make it available for the visitors and guests. Mr Dev said 16 countries would participate in the World Cup and Matches would be played in 4 pools.

The countries namely Argentina, New Zealand, Spain and France would be in Pool-A, Australia, England, Ireland and China would be in Pool-B, Belgium, India, Canada, and South Africa would be in Pool-C; and Netherlands, Germany, Malaysia and Pakistan would be in Pool-D.

The Matches would be palyed from 28th November to 16th December. Each day two matches would be played from 5.00 P.M. onwards. Quarter Final would be played on 12th and 13th December. Semi-final and Final matches have been scheduled on 15th and 16th December respectively.

It may be pertinent here to mention that ‘this for the third time that India is going to organize the prestigious World Cup and Odisha is proud of getting the chance to host it at Bhubaneswar.

India hosted Hockey World Cup for first time in 1982 at Bombay and for 2nd time in 2010 at New Delhi. Development Commissioner R. Balakrishnan, Chief Executive of Hockey India League Ms. Elena Norman and other officers attended the meeting on Tuesday.