In a major decision that will give a decisive push to infrastructure development in the Capital and to strengthen New Delhi's claim for hosting the Olympic 2036, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has identified 50 acres of land near the Urban Extension Road-II for development of an international cricket stadium along with a five-star hotel and a world-class medical facility in Narela, north-west Delhi. Currently, Feroz Shah Kotla stadium (now called Arun Jaitley stadium) is the only stadium in Delhi that is used to host international cricket matches.
At the meeting with DDA officials, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena has also directed the authority to further identify land parcels in the vicinity to develop sporting infrastructure related to football, hockey and other Olympic sports, with the view to strengthen Delhi's claims for hosting the Olympics-2036.
Raj Niwas official said Lt Governor Saxena has also approved the proposal to float Request for Proposals (RFQ) for the cricket stadium complex at the earliest with the condition for the same to be completed within two years.
"In a departure from the past practice, when DDA would sale land for such projects, it will now be an equity partner in the project on the basis of the cost of land that will be DDA's contribution to the whole enterprise. This, Lieutenant Governor has underlined, would apart from ensuring stake, also ensure recurring income to the DDA," official said.
"Coming after the decision taken by the LG with regards to developing Narela as an education hub by giving land for development of university campuses in the area, the Narela sub-city is set for an unprecedented boom similar to that the city witnessed in East Delhi during the Commonwealth Games 2010," official added.
Narela is already home to many relocated and new industries and has recently got a court complex, police station, hospital, jail complex and enhanced bus connectivity. The entire sub-city comprises about 9,866 hectares (ha) of which the project area is of 3,828 ha, land pooling area amounts to 3,537 ha and 2,501 ha come under the green belt.
Institutions to which land has already been allotted include NIT (20.8 ha), Indira Gandhi Delhi Technical University for Women (20 ha) and National Institute of Homeopathy (4.04 ha). Under the proposed plan, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University is to be allotted 8.08 ha and Delhi Teachers University 4.04 ha.
