Vijayawada’s Indira Gandhi stadium redevelopment begins, eyes hosting national games

Vijayawada: The city is gearing up for a major sporting boost as Indira Gandhi Municipal Stadium embarks on an ambitious Rs 60-crore redevelopment project aimed at bringing it up to National Games standards. The long-awaited works officially began on Wednesday, marking a new chapter for the city's sports infrastructure.The groundbreaking ceremony witnessed the presence of state sports minister Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy, SAAP chairman Animini Ravi Naidu, MP Kesineni Sivanath and local MLAs. The project is being jointly executed by the Sports Authority of Andhra Pradesh and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation under the aegis of SHAP, with financial backing from the Khelo India scheme.Out of the total cost, Rs 20 crore has been sanctioned by the Centre, while the remaining Rs 40 crore will be shared by state authorities and the Vijayawada Municipal Corporation. The project will be executed in three phases, with a clear focus on developing world-class facilities.The first phase, now underway along Bandaru Road, will see the construction of a football green field, four tennis courts, two volleyball courts, two basketball courts and handball courts. Modern 400-metre and 200-metre synthetic athletic tracks will also be laid, ensuring the stadium meets competitive standards.In the second phase, a state-of-the-art multipurpose indoor stadium will be developed, while the final phase will include administrative blocks, a fully equipped gymnasium and a physiotherapy centre for athlete support.Officials say the upgraded stadium will not only nurture local talent but also position Vijayawada as a strong contender to host national-level sporting events, including the prestigious National Games in the future.