Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday performed the Bhoomi Poojan and laid the foundation stone of the Gorakhpur International Cricket Stadium. Speaking at the ceremony, he announced that the stadium is being developed with support from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, while another international cricket stadium is under construction in Varanasi with assistance from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Stadium Features and Capacity
The Chief Minister stated that the Gorakhpur stadium will have a seating capacity of 30,000 and will be spread across 46 acres. Adequate parking facilities will be provided, and an additional 60 acres of land has been reserved for a sports complex dedicated to indoor games. He emphasized that the state government is providing encroachment-free land to promote sports development and support young athletes.
"With the help of BCCI, an international cricket stadium is being built in Varanasi. And today, the foundation stone of an international cricket stadium has been laid here by the UP government with support from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. The stadium has a capacity of 30,000, it spans across 46 acres of land, and parking will be available. Sixty acres of land have been reserved for a sports complex just next door for indoor games. The double-engine government is providing encroachment-free land where the futures of the youth will be shaped," CM Yogi said.
Union Minister's Remarks
Union Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, who also attended the event, revealed that Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) has contributed Rs 60 crore for the project under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. He highlighted the central government's focus on sports and fitness through initiatives such as the Fit India Movement and Khelo India, launched under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
"I am happy to share that Indian Oil Corporation, which operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, has contributed Rs 60 crore to this important initiative. With Fit India Movement and Khelo India, PM Modi has turned fitness and sports into a mass movement. The Gorakhpur stadium, which will be built on 45 acres of land and will have a capacity of 30,000, will serve as an inspiration to the youth," Hardeep Puri said.
The event marks a significant step in enhancing sports infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh, with both state and central governments collaborating to provide world-class facilities for athletes and sports enthusiasts.
