Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium vaults to the finishing line

After months of speculation about the delay in construction of the Commonwealth Games venues, there finally seems to be good news as the city saw a spate of openings of stadia this week.

After Thyagaraj and Chattrasal, it was the turn of the Sports Authority of India (SAI) to throw open the gates of Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Saturday. The stadium, which is being touted as the biggest indoor stadium in the country, has been remodelled and reconstructed by the Central Public Works Department (CPWD).

The main competition venue for gymnastics, the IG stadium has been completely renovated and upgraded for the Commonwealth Games at a cost of Rs 240 crore.

While the built-up area is a staggering 72,425 sqm, it has a seating capacity of 14,500, making it the biggest stadium in the country. What makes the stadium interesting however, is the state of the art facilities, including 2,200 lux sports lighting system, which will make it possible for the latest HDTV transmission.

Like the Thyagaraj stadium of the Delhi government, it also boasts of several green building features like thermal insulation of the entire roof, gypsum board partitions and wall panelling, external glazing with low energy tinted glasses and energy efficient lighting fixtures.

Also, water conservation features like water harvesting by recharging of the existing lake in the complex by rain water has been remodelled into the stadium complex. Sources at Central Public Works Department said the entire stadium will also be put under electronic surveillance through fixed and PTZ cameras connected to a central control room, which will have integrated network for connecting various facilities, to meet the operational requirement of various tournaments.

MS Gill, union minister of youth affairs and sports inaugurated the stadium.

Also present was Delhi chief minister, Sheila Dikshit, who reiterated that the government would ensure that all venues as well as infrastructure was ready on time for the Games. Accompanying the two were senior government officials as well as Games organizing committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, state minister for sports and youth welfare Pratik P Patil, Sindhushree Khullar, secretary, union ministry of sports and Sayan Chatterjee, director general of Sports Authority of India.

Added Gill, "This is an outstanding stadium and a remarkable engineering marvel. It is equipped with all the modern facilities and is the largest covered and air-conditioned stadium in India."