Lucknow: Uttar Pradesh's first international-standard velodrome at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College, initiated in June 2015, remains in limbo as construction has yet to resume despite a revised design being submitted to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) in Delhi for approval in December 2025.
Decade-Long Delays and Escalating Costs
The long-pending cycling infrastructure project has been plagued by repeated redesigns, escalating costs, and prolonged delays, leaving the state's cyclists waiting for a world-class facility more than a decade after the foundation was laid. So far, Rs 59.41 crore has been spent out of the Rs 60 crore released for construction, but the project remains far from complete. Initially sanctioned at Rs 167.93 crore, the cost rose to Rs 187.95 crore after adding GST. Following a fresh redesign to meet international specifications, the estimated cost has now climbed to nearly Rs 239.95 crore.
History of Redesigns and Budget Constraints
On September 2, 2021, the Times of India reported that cyclists were dissatisfied with modifications introduced due to budgetary constraints. A follow-up report on December 13, 2025, noted that while the velodrome structure had finally begun to take shape, no significant progress was made on completing the cycling facility. In a fresh push, the Uttar Pradesh sports department wrote to the secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on May 19, 2026, seeking technical scrutiny of the revised project through SAI. The letter requested expert examination of technical standards, construction quality, prevailing market rates, and the overall necessity of the revised works, while also requesting directives for technical supervision of the cycling track project.
Design Revision and Approval Process
Officials said the redesign was initiated after high-level discussions in July 2025 between Chief Secretary Manoj Singh and Principal Secretary (Sports) Manish Chauhan to ensure the facility meets international benchmarks. The revised model was subsequently forwarded to SAI, and construction is expected to resume only after formal approval is granted. The delay has also led to financial setbacks. In the 2025-26 budget, the state earmarked Rs 5 crore for the project, but the allocation lapsed after it was not released for execution, leaving the amount unutilised.
Project Manager's Statement
Project Manager Sanjay Singh of UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam said multiple reminders were sent to SAI since the revised design was submitted in December last year, but no response has been received. "No construction has been carried out since last year. While Rs 59.41 crore has already been utilised, further work cannot proceed until approval comes through," he stated.
Government's Follow-Up Efforts
Secretary of Sports and Youth Welfare Suhas LY said the department has intensified follow-up efforts with both SAI and the sports ministry. "A nodal officer has been appointed and will be sent to Delhi to pursue the matter and obtain clarity on the status of the submitted velodrome model. Once approval is received, the department will seek the detailed project report from the executing agency and release fresh funds for construction," he added.
