Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium: Crowning Glory

International consultants from six countries, Rs 500 crore, 443 tonnes of pre-stretched cable equalling to 2,200 km and a membrane roof (partial) of 54,000 sqm (the largest in Asia) — the much-delayed Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium is a lesson in dreaming big.

Originally built in 1982, the JN Stadium has been in the news for all the wrong reasons. Incessant delays have meant the stadium, which is the venue for the opening and closing ceremonies of the Commonwealth Games 2010, will be the last to reach the finishing line, in June 2010. Yet, as the pieces of the stadium come together, it's hard not to be impressed by the end result. Especially the Rs 100-crore cable roof, which promises to make JN Stadium one of the most innovative in India.

BK Chugh, director general (works) of the Central Public Work Department (CPWD), which was hired by the government for the project, says, "Our brief was simple: Upgrade the JN Stadium to international standards."

A senior official adds, "The biggest challenge was to provide a roof to the open stadium, without disturbing the existing structure. In fact, this roof had to be built without any perpendicular support from the inside of the stadium." And so started an extensive makeover which lasted over two years and untold number of manhours, not to mention an escalating budget.

The cable roof has been built with new support extending up to 71 metres into the stands. It's the largest membrane roof in Asia. Made of coated glass fibre, the roof membrane is tough and low maintenance, supported by a cable network that spans 2,200 km, the distance between Delhi and Bangalore. The steel structure alone, which surrounds the stadium in the form of 'V' frames going upto 23 metres in height and X frames upto 43 metres, is made of more than 8,500 tonnes of steel.

"It's a complicated structure, which required expertise from outside as well, especially as we don't have the technology in India," says Chugh.

To help CPWD, consultants from Germany, Switzerland, UK, US, Mexico and Australia were hired, though the actual steel was sourced indigenously.

The rest of the roof structure, however, has been sourced from the US (the membrane), Switzerland (jacks), Germany (cables), UK (roof consultancy) and others while quality assurance and construction guidance was provided by a German firm.

"The roof rests on a network of cables, which in turn rest on the V and X steel frames around the stadium. To ensure that accessibility is easy, 14 approach ramps have been placed along the steel frames, which will not only provide an evacuation time of less than six minutes but also provide access to the PA and lighting system," says Chugh. The roof membrane, which will be levelled as a single surface, will highlight multi-coloured lights to be used during the opening and closing ceremonies.

Built at a cost of Rs 100 crore, the design of the roof is unique to India, say CPWD officials.

"Conceptualisation and planning was the most time-consuming part of the renovation. The actual construction of the roof took us only four months," says Chugh. With a deadline of June 30 for the roof, CPWD officials claim the stadium will be ready by June. Well in time to dazzle athletes, tourists and Delhiites for the coming Games.