Revamped Dhyanchand Stadium to open

The revamped Major Dhyanchand National Stadium will be the first among the Commonwealth Games venues to be opened on Sunday.

Sports and Youth Affairs Minister MS Gill will be present at the remodelled and reconstructed stadium, which will host the hockey World Cup February 28-March 13.

The stadium, revamped at a cost of Rs.262 crore, is spread over 36 acres and has beeen renovated keeping in mind the Commonwealth Games in October.

The stadium has three synthetic pitches, two conforming to international standards and the third a practice pitch. New polygrass turf has been laid on all the pitches, which are equipped with new sprinkler systems.

The main field has a capacity to seat about 16,200 spectators. The second pitch outside the main arena has 900 permanent seats and with a provision of 1,600 temporary seats.

The two competitive pitches are flood-lit with foldable floodlight towers (hinged mast lights) which will provide 2,200 lux illumination during the competition. This will enable high definition TV transmission.

The stadium has state-of-the-art sound system with required acoustic effects and also two scoreboards on right and left flanks overlooking the spectators' areas.

Both the pitches are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for the players like change rooms, relaxation lounges and a spacious VVIP lounge.

The entire stadium is centrally air-conditioned and fitted with lifts, barrier free provisions for athletes and spectators who are physically challenged.

The stadium will get its power supply from two grids with a backup based on generator sets and battery uninterrupted power supply.

The stadium was originally built in 1933 as an amphitheatre. It was renovated for first Asian Games held in 1951 and also for the 1982 Asian Games.