Nagpur: The Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) has taken a significant step towards the redevelopment of Yeshwant Stadium and Chitnis Park, aiming to replicate the success of Ahmedabad’s multi-sport facility, ‘TransStadia.’ Municipal Commissioner and Administrator, Radhakrishnan B, approved the appointment of a consultant tasked with preparing the technical design and business plan for both stadiums, as reported in a local English daily.
The initial phase of the project involves conducting a feasibility study to evaluate the viability of replacing the existing stadiums. The consultant will also develop business models that will guide the decision-making process for the NMC. The choice between implementing a public-private partnership (PPP) or an Engineering, Procurement of goods, Construction (EPC) model will be determined based on the findings of the feasibility study, added the report.
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Saturday 23 Nov. 2024
In addition to facilitating indoor sports activities, the redevelopment project will prioritize the establishment of sustainable business models. This focus on financial sustainability is aimed at ensuring that the NMC does not face any financial difficulties in maintaining the stadiums, as emphasized by Radhakrishnan B.
Drawing inspiration from Ahmedabad’s TransStadia, which successfully transformed sports into an industry, the NMC’s Projects Department has clarified that TransStadia will collaborate with leading experts in the sports business. This partnership will ensure the delivery of a multi-purpose stadium with integrated training facilities and convertible sports infrastructure.
The Gujarat Government, recognizing the potential of urban sports infrastructure, invested approximately Rs 530 crore in Ahmedabad’s TransStadia project. The infrastructure incorporates globally patented technology to maximize space utilization and optimize the usage of non-sporting areas for cultural and social activities, as mentioned in the report.
The redevelopment plans for Yeshwant Stadium and Chitnis Park in Nagpur signify the NMC’s commitment to enhancing sports infrastructure and creating a sustainable sporting ecosystem. With the appointment of a consultant and the intention to learn from the success of TransStadia, Nagpur aims to establish modern and financially viable stadiums that can serve as catalysts for the growth of sports and related industries in the city.
The seating capacity of Yeshwant Stadium is around 30,000, while the figure is 7,000 at Chitnis Park. Due to outdated infrastructure and lack of other basic amenities like facilities for sportspersons, parking space etc, both the playfields remain underutilized almost round the year.
About Yeshwant Stadium, officials said that on April 6, 1962, NMC got 13.56 acres of land from the State Government on lease for construction of a stadium. The civic body constructed Yeshwant Stadium on 3.6 acres between 1970 and 1974. It’s around 53 years old.
As it is situated in the heart of the city and is an old structure, the NMC has decided to undertake its redevelopment. In the past too, a redevelopment plan was made with reconstruction of the multistorey stadium with world class standards. The project then included modernization of the existing play field, an administrative block, separate dormitories for sportspersons, shops, a shopping complex facing the main road at a cost of Rs 89.01 crore.
