Since the first game back in 1948, the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium in Delhi has been host to a number of exciting matches over the years.
However, it now looks like the Kotla will not be an international stadium for long after it was revealed that the Delhi and District Cricket Association has planned to end their ties with the Kotla and are planning to build a brand new stadium close to the city.
The Times of India reported that the DDCA is planning to build a brand new stadium between Dwarka and Najafgarh, close to former India opener Virender Sehwag’s home and adjacent to the airport.
According to DDCA treasurer, Ravinder Manchanda talks with Venkaiah Naidu, the minister of Urban development, for identifying the land needed to build the stadium. And it is understood that the project will be finished before the end of this decade.
Talking to the media, Manchanda said, “DDCA will have a new stadium near Dwarka. Talks are on and we are going to start the project after identifying the land.”
The budget for this plan is said to be around 150 crore INR but sources close to the board have also revealed that it might be near the 250 crore INR mark.
When asked about the organization of the money, the treasurer said that the BCCI is yet to pay up past subsidies for the DDCA over three years which amount to 60 crore INR but the BCCI sources revealed that up-to 40-crore of those subsidies have been used for infrastructure by the board.
This has left the DDCA thinking about selling the corporate boxes at the Kotla for the next few years to generate the funds.
The treasurer, however, said, “Money won’t be much of an issue because we will make a proper team to assess every aspect,” Manchanda added.
The Kotla can currently hold close to 38,200 people but the new stadium that is proposed is set to have a capacity of over 50,000.
The new stadium is also understood to be strategically placed in such a way the there will be no hindrances for the fans or the players even during high profile games.
More than 5,000 hotel rooms are available around the new stadium space making it easier for the travelling fans.
DDCA’s cricket operations head Siddharth Verma said: “We are working hard to make DDCA the model cricket association in the country , with the best facilities for players. We have more supporters than detractors. We shall not disappoint them.”
However, the first step to increasing the quality of the sport in Delhi, DDCA also has plans to re-build a part of the Kotla as well.
“There are plans to build a new clubhouse and the stadium at Kotla will be used for academies, first-class matches and training players and coaches,” Manchanda said.
He also revealed that the main office would shift to the new hub making the new stadium the home of the board in the state.
Do you think DDCA is justified in building yet another stadium in Delhi?