Proposed 100-acre cricket stadium in Bharat Future City faces criticism

The Congress government’s proposed 100-acre cricket stadium in Bharat Future City has drawn criticism, with questions raised over its size and necessity. Critics argue Hyderabad already has adequate facilities, while the government says a larger venue is needed for major international events.

Hyderabad: Criticism is mounting over the Congress government’s plan to construct a cricket stadium spread across 100 acres in Bharat Future City, with several people questioning the need for such a massive facility.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the project is likely to be held in December. The proposed stadium is being planned with a seating capacity exceeding that of the Motera stadium in Ahmedabad, which can accommodate 1.32 lakh spectators and is currently India’s largest cricket venue.

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In August 2024, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced in the Assembly that a new cricket stadium would be constructed at Begarikancha. He had said initial discussions had been held with the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The Telangana Congress posted on X: “The largest multi-purpose stadium is set to host cricket, football and global concerts. Transportation facilities from Rajiv Gandhi airport, the proposed Regional Ring Road and Outer Ring Road. Extremely convenient for international events.”

Apart from the historic LB Stadium, Hyderabad already has a cricket stadium at Uppal. The proposed new stadium is being justified on the grounds that the Uppal venue does not have the required seating capacity to host major international events, particularly World Cup matches.

However, the Congress government’s plans have drawn strong criticism from different sections.

Popular writer and orator Joy Bhattacharjya termed the proposal to construct another cricket stadium a “terrible idea”, arguing that the existing stadium was more than adequate to meet the city’s cricketing needs.

He said constructing another massive cricket stadium in a city that already had a decent facility, only to host seven IPL matches and an occasional international game every three years, would amount to a “criminal waste of money”.

“Please make smaller mixed-use facilities that support different sports, commercial activities and concerts and shows like the Ajax stadium. Or if you have to spend it on cricket, you have 33 districts, many would love to have a decent cricket pitch,” Bhattacharjya suggested on X.

Interestingly, while the Congress government claims to be according top priority to sports and sports infrastructure, the historic LB Stadium in the heart of the city has increasingly been used for government programmes.

Another X user, @szlypx, said, “These people could have worked on Rajendra Nagar dumping yard issue. They have a lot of issues they can fix, but no.. they want a cricket ground.. how dumb.”