The iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium (JLN Stadium) in Delhi, which was extensively revamped for the 2010 Commonwealth Games with an investment of Rs 961 crore, is set to be dismantled to make way for a new Sports City.
As per a report from Indian Express, the new development will feature venues for all major sports disciplines and include residential facilities for athletes. The project remains in the 'ideation phase' with no fixed timeline yet, as the government is studying international models such as the Doha Sports City before proceeding with planning.
The JLN Stadium, originally constructed for the 1982 Asian Games, has undergone several upgrades, including a recent Rs 50 crore refurbishment before the World Para Athletics Championship. Presently,
the complex houses a main football stadium, an athletics track, archery and badminton facilities, and offices like the Sports Authority of India and National Anti Doping Agency. Officials confirmed that all these offices will be relocated and the main stadium dismantled. Residential complexes will be built to accommodate athletes participating in events nearby.
"There is no timeline for the project fixed yet as it is in ideation phase. We are assessing sports cities like the one in Doha. Once all of that is done, we will move ahead with the planning phase," a source was quoted as saying by the report.
The government aims to better utilize the vast 102-acre area of the stadium complex, much of which is underused. The JLN Stadium, with a seating capacity of 60,000, has been a historic venue hosting major events such as the 2010 Commonwealth Games, the 2017 U17 FIFA World Cup, and the World Para Athletics Championships.
Recent modifications included installing new Mondo tracks, increasing seating, and making the stadium wheelchair friendly with lifts and accessible washrooms.
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