Odisha to build 89 multipurpose indoor stadiums across urban areas

BHUBANESWAR: The Government of Odisha announced on Monday, August 9, that they will be constructing 89 multi-purpose indoor stadiums in the state keeping in mind India’s success at the Tokyo Olympics. The stadiums, to be constructed in different urban areas of the state, will call for an investment of Rs 693.35 crore. 

While announcing the decision, the Cabinet appreciated the winners at the Olympics with a special mention to the Indian Hockey team. The stadiums will be constructed under the Urban Sports Infrastructure Development Project and will be completed in the next 18 months. Tusharkanti Behera, Sports and Youth Services Minister, Odisha, said that the project will give a boost to the sports in the state. The Government of Odisha had recently introduced the 5T initiative (teamwork, technology, transparency, timely completion leading to transformation) to transform the sports landscape of the state. 

Behera said that the stadiums will be named Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium. Three of the stadiums will be located in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Rourkela, 30 under the jurisdiction of municipalities and 52 in notified area councils. 

The aforementioned Urban Sports Infrastructure Development Project was proposed to uplift the quality of sports infrastructure in the urban local bodies of the state. The stadiums will be multi-purpose and could be used to play badminton, table tennis, yoga, and can also act as a gymnasium. It can also be used as a community shelter during floods or cyclones, or as a quarantine centre with over 150 beds.