In two years, Bengaluru to have India’s second-largest cricket stadium

Bengaluru: Amid growing concerns over crowd management and infrastructure constraints at the city’s iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru is set for a major sporting infrastructure upgrade. Promising to build India’s second-largest cricket stadium by seating capacity within two years, the state govt Saturday laid foundation stone for the proposed facility at Indlawadi village in Anekal taluk, near Bannerghatta National Park (BNP).The International Cricket Stadium and Sports Complex, being developed by Karnataka Housing Board (KHB) on 75 acres at a cost of Rs 943 crore, will have a seating capacity of 80,000 spectators.Despite the brewing controversy over the stadium’s location within the original Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) of BNP — an issue currently pending before the Supreme Court — chief minister Siddaramaiah and his deputy DK Shivakumar formally launched the project.Kickstarting the work, Siddaramaiah said, “We have taken a step towards the comprehensive development of this region in terms of sports, tourism, job creation, and economic growth. KHB will fund this project entirely by mobilising funds from the auction of corner sites across Karnataka. These sites are expected to fetch Rs 20,000 crore. The govt will not spend anything on the work.”The CM also noted that land prices in the surrounding areas have risen sharply after the stadium announcement. “The property value in the vicinity, which was around Rs 1,500 per sqft earlier, has now gone up to Rs 5,000 per sqft,” he said.Calling the project the Congress govt’s contribution to Bengaluru, Shivakumar said, “We should support those who have lost land and also provide good facilities to our sporting youngsters. This facility will not only decongest Bengaluru but also give a new dimension to this region’s development.”Housing minister BZ Zameer Ahmed Khan said, “This will be the second-largest cricket stadium in India after Gujarat. While the stadium in Ahmedabad can handle 90,000 spectators, this one will have a seating capacity of 80,000.”KHB chairperson KM Shivalinge Gowda and Anekal MLA B Shivanna were also present during the event. Bengaluru Milk Union president DK Suresh, meanwhile, urged govt to build similar stadiums elsewhere in the city to decentralise sporting infrastructure.Apart from the sports complex, the state also laid foundation stone for the Surya Shine and Surya Divine residential complexes, being developed at a cost of Rs 101 crore. The projects will feature G+5 and G+10 residential towers comprising more than 100 3-BHK apartments. According to officials, this is the first project by KHB under the 50:50 ratio, wherein 50% of the plots are reserved for landowners.