Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit Varanasi on Saturday to mark the commencement of construction for an international cricket stadium in his electoral constituency. This event has been hailed by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath as a significant moment in the history of Kashi (Varanasi). Adityanath shared details of Modi’s agenda for the visit and praised the initiative.
Adityanath expressed, “Tomorrow another golden chapter is going to be added to the journey of Baba Shri Vishwanath ji’s holy city Kashi. Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji will lay the foundation stone of ‘International Cricket Stadium’ costing approximately ₹451 crores in Varanasi tomorrow.”
He further mentioned, “Apart from this, Kashi MP will also inaugurate 16 newly constructed Atal Residential Schools at a cost of approximately ₹1,115 crore by participating in the closing and prize distribution ceremony of the Cultural Mahotsav 2023. Your hearty congratulations Prime Minister!”
The inauguration of the construction of the international cricket stadium is scheduled for approximately 1:30 PM. The stadium is expected to have a budget of ₹451 crore and will be a state-of-the-art sports facility covering an expansive 30-acre area in Varanasi’s Ganjari. This initiative aligns with the vision to establish modern, world-class sports infrastructure.
The architectural design of the stadium is inspired by Lord Shiva, incorporating elements such as trident-shaped floodlights, crescent-shaped roofing, seating arrangements resembling steps found in ghats, and metallic sheets on the facade shaped like Bilvipatra leaves.
The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated ₹121 crore for land acquisition required for the project. The construction of the stadium, with a seating capacity for 30,000 spectators, will be funded by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) at a cost of ₹330 crore.
The inaugural ceremony is expected to be attended by prominent cricket figures like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, and other notable personalities. Key officials from the BCCI, including President Roger Binny, Vice President Rajiv Shukla, and Secretary Jay Shah, are also anticipated to be present.
The spectator seating within the stadium will be designed to replicate the unique steps seen at the ghats in Varanasi. Located in the Rajatalab locality near the Ring Road, the stadium is projected to be completed and operational by December 2025. This initiative aims to enhance sports infrastructure and promote cricket in the region.