Varanasi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will gift an International Cricket Stadium to sports enthusiasts of the state, especially in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi, on September 23. The Uttar Pradesh government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has spent Rs 121 crores on land acquisition for the construction of the International Cricket Stadium in Varanasi. Moreover, the BCCI will spend Rs 330 crores on the stadium’s construction.

After Rudraksh International Convention Centre, now a glimpse of Lord Shiva and the essence of Kashi will be seen in this stadium being built in Varanasi. Once completed, cricket fans of Purvanchal won’t have to travel far to watch international cricket matches anymore. The stadium is being constructed at a cost of Rs 451 crores. The stadium will also boast of essential infrastructure for international cricket.

Notably, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar and Sunil Gavaskar are likely to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the stadium. This stadium will be ready in about 30 months near Ring Road in Ganjari village of Rajatalab area of Varanasi.

It is noteworthy that the double-engine government is continuously playing a positive role in the rejuvenation of Kashi. Along with implementing PM’s schemes in Kashi, CM Yogi himself ensures regular inspections to ensure that all work is carried out correctly.

New dimensions are being created for the development of Varanasi

The Prime Minister is working on changing the image of his parliamentary constituency, Varanasi, by establishing new standards of development. In the same sequence, CM Yogi Adityanath is giving tangible shape to development and employment-related projects in Uttar Pradesh.

It is noteworthy that the Uttar Pradesh government has given this land measuring 30.86 acres on long-term lease to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA). On this, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) will build an international cricket stadium at a cost of Rs 330 crore. The stadium with a capacity of 30,000 spectators will have 7 pitches (practice and main wicket) and a state-of-the-art stadium to be constructed as per the rules of International Cricket Stadium. The stadium is likely to be ready by December 2025.

Stadium will become a unique blend of religious architecture

When international matches will take place at the International Cricket Stadium, it will fascinate the world with he halo of spirituality and religious art to be presented through live television broadcasts. The stadium will have a half-moon shape, and its floodlights will resemble trishul (a trident).

The design will include patterns resembling bel leaves, and the structure will feature the shape of a damaru (a musical instrument associated with Lord Shiva). There will be a spectator gallery resembling the stairs of Ganga Ghat. Prior to this, the Rudraksha International Convention Center was built in Kashi, which had the shape of a Shiva Lingam and included 108 Rudraksha beads.

Many veteran players are expected to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony

Veteran players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, and other prominent cricketers are likely to be present in the foundation stone laying ceremony. The event will also have the presence of key figures from the BCCI, including President Roger Binny, Vice President Rajiv Shukla, and Secretary Jay Shah.

After Kanpur and Lucknow, this will be Uttar Pradesh’s third international cricket stadium. It won’t just benefit Varanasi and Purvanchal but will also provide an opportunity for cricket talents from Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Chhattisgarh to showcase and hone their skills.