International cricket stadium for Warangal approved
The proposal was submitted to the government by the Warangal district administration in February.
Hyderabad: The TS government has approved setting up of an international cricket stadium in Warangal. The proposal was submitted to the government by the Warangal district administration in February this year, and it has been cleared by Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao.
The CM asked the sports department to approach the BCCI for financial assistance for constructing the stadium with a seating capacity of 60,000. Once constructed, it will be the second international cricket stadium in the state, the first being the Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad.
Despite being the second biggest city in TS, Warangal lags way behind the capital on all fronts and the state government has been devising grand plans to develop it into an IT, sports and education hub.
IT minister K.T. Rama Rao had in February inaugurated Cyient’s Infotech Centre in Warangal, the first big IT venture in Warangal. Minister for sports T. Padma Rao Goud said, “The idea of setting up an international cricket stadium in Warangal was mooted by the CM during his visit to the city last year. The CM asked officials to identify suitable land and send proposals.”
Following this, the Warangal district administration identified 16 acres in Timmapur village on the city’s outskirts and submitted proposals. The CM gave in-principle approval and asked the sports department to approach BCCI for necessary financial assistance. The government is also ready to allot funds for stadium as part of Warangal Special Development Authority.”
Mr Rao had announced the authority in January this year and '300 crore every year for the development of Warangal. “We will soon send a team of officials to Mumbai to meet BCCI officials to submit proposals on Warangal stadium and seek financial assistance,” Mr Goud said.
Officials said the identified location has the advantage of being near to the old airport and Fourth Police Battalion, which would provide air connectivity and security to stadium. The government has already submitted proposals to Centre to revive the non-functional airport in Warangal, by offering additional land.