The descendants of JMM founder and renowned educationist of Dhanbad, Binod Bihari Mahto have offered land for the development of a cricket stadium in Dhanbad.

Vinita Singh, daughter-in-law of former Tundi MLA, late Rajkishore Mahto who is also granddaughter-in-law of Late Binod Bihari Mahto had offered over 11 acres of her ancestral land in Baliapur for developing a cricket stadium in the district as the administration is yet to find land for the establishment of a stadium in the district.

Singh, a graduate in Political Science from Banaras Hindu University, who was married to Late Rajnish Mahto grandson of Binod Bihari Mahto in 1997 and announced her plan to contest Municipal Election for the post of mayor recently, announced she will provide altogether 23 acres of land in Baliapur that will be used for establishing a cricket stadium (11 acres) besides an engineering college (8 acres) and a museum (4 acres) in memory of Binod Bihari Mahto.

Talking to The Telegraph Online on Monday, Singh, who decided to come in public life after the death of her husband in April this year while elaborating over the issue said, “The coal capital of India despite having so many players including that of the ilk of team India player Shahbaz Nadim is devoid of cricket stadium due to lack of land and since the stadium besides promoting the sports will also generate the source of employment for local people I have decided to provide the land as part of charity work which is tradition of our family.”

Binod Bihari Mahto provided land for establishment of a large number of educational institutions across Dhanbad and himself developed several educational institutions on his land for the development of the area including, Binod Bihari Mahto College at Baliapur, Dhanbad law college and a large number of schools.

The tradition continued during the tenure of Tundi MLA late Rajkishore Mahto, son of Late Binod Bihari Mahto who also headed Binod Bihari Mahto Smarak Samiti to carry out education and social activities.

Circle officer of Baliapur, Ram Pravesh Ram said, “Though the family owns around 33 acres of land at Bandarchuan area of Baliapur Block, Vinita Singh declared to provide 11 acres of land from her share but for developing an international cricket stadium at least 20 acres of land is required.”

The Dhanbad Cricket Association has been demanding land for a cricket stadium for the last several years.

On August 24, a delegation from the association met Dhanbad Deputy Commissioner, Sandeep Singh demanding land for a cricket stadium.