Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium to go under re-development

To unlock value from optimal utilization of its an iconic supporting asset’ it has been decided to redevelop Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi, according to a tender Floated, said the Sports Ministry.

According to a tender floated, approximately RS. 8,000 crore makeover has been proposed by the government, for the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in the capital and according to the sources it has also invited bids to study the feasibility of the project.

As on Wednesday, the Sports Ministry said, ‘it has decided to redevelop/develop Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, New Delhi, to unlock value from optimal utilization of its an iconic sporting asset’.

‘Overarching objective is to promote the holistic development of the stadium complex’ the document further added it. This initiative has also been taken in order to host the Olympics and other international multi-sport events in the future. Other than this it has also been proposed that the ‘refurbished venue should have a 3-5 star accommodation facility, more training facilities and convention centers on-site.

A Sports Ministry as a first step has decided, ‘to conduct a feasibility study for determining the technical feasibility and financial viability for the project’ and with this has floated a tender to select a financial consultant.

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“The indicative cost of the project is Rs.7,853 crore based on the Pre-feasibility study undertaken by M/s. Ernst & Young LLP,” Stated the tender document.

“If found technically feasible and financially viable, the project may be awarded on DBFOT (design, build, finance, operate, transfer) basis to a private entity selected through a competitive bidding process.”

It is learned that 2 years ago, a consultancy firm drafted a detailed report, which offered ways to convert the existing stadium into a ‘state-of-the-facility’ and also generate revenues from sports and non-sports activity. This suggestion came from Niti Ayog to redevelop the stadium through a public-private partnership.

The Singapore Sports Hub, Amsterdam Arena, Perth Arena, and Ahemdabad’s TransStadia,
It has cited examples of similar models implemented at all these places.

The cost which is proposed for the redevelopment of the Stadium includes, the existing sports infrastructure, academies, a proposed Sports university, hotels (3,4,5 stars) and development of the area for commercial purposes.

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‘Commercial activities shall be sports-related only’ stated the proposal.
Including retail outlets, virtual gaming and adventure zones.

Additionally, a proposal has been suggested which is to set up a ‘national/international level indoor training venue’ for basketball (one court), badminton (two courts), and table tennis (four). Along with a 10 m shooting academy and on Olympic-size swimming pool have also been suggested.

A five-year consultancy team, a recommendation has also been recommended by the Sports Ministry and it shall include a sports infrastructure management expert whose role will be to ‘provide sectoral perspective in sports infrastructure facilities for transforming JNS to bs capable of hosting Olympics and other international multi-sporting events’.

To ensure that the Stadium conforms to the standards prescribed by the International Olympic Committee FIFA and World Athletics, the experts will be responsible for this.

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The 2026 Youth Olympics, 2030 Asian Games, and 2032 Olympics, apart from the 2027 Asian Football Championship, it must be noted that India has expressed interest in hosting all these events. The country has even already won the right to host the 2022 Women’s Asian football Championship.

The complex, spread over 102 acres in the heart of New Delhi, was renovated 10 years ago for the 2010 Commonwealth Games and was constructed for the 1982 Asian Games. The man stadium was the centerpiece for the CWG, which reportedly cost the exchequer Rs. 961 crore, which even hosted the opening and closing ceremonies as well as athletics events.

While the complex houses an indoor weighting auditorium, three football fields, two athletic tracks, two badminton halls, a table tennis hall, an archery training zone, and other sports facilities along with the main stadium that has a seating capacity of approximately 60,000.

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