The state of the art, Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium at Raipur in Dehradun would be inaugurated by Chief Minister Harish Rawat on December 16.
The CM would also release the mascot and logo of the 38th National Games on the occasion.
This information was provided by the Sports minister Dinesh Agarwal while addressing newsmen here on Tuesday. He claimed that the state government has done exemplary and unprecedented work of setting up a robust sports infrastructure in the state. Agarwal said that the sports stadium of Haldwani would be inaugurated on December 18.
He said that the work on the stadium started on June 2014 after environment clearance. Construction giant Shapoorji Palonji has constructed the world class stadium spread in an area of 23 acre of land at a cost of Rs 237 Crores. Agarwal claimed that the state government took no financial help from outside and setup the stadium on its own. He said that the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had pledged to donate a sum of Rs 50 Crore for the stadium but it did not fulfill its commitment. The minister informed that the seating capacity of the stadium is 25000 and the roof of the stadium is made up of tensile fabric and poly carbonate which makes it the first stadium in the country to use this material. For ensuring impeccable security ultra modern Axis control system and building management system is being followed in the stadium. For media and broadcasting modern IP based technology would be used.
The sports minister further informed that four high mast lights consisting of 392 lights are fitted in the stadia. The compound of the stadium would have 34 corporate boxes, lounges and provision for restaurant. A club house is also set up in south pavilion of the stadium with the facilities of swimming pool, bowling alley, billiards room, spa, gymnasium and auditorium and banquet hall.
looking from a distance the pattern of seats in different stands of the stadium is designed to give an impression of a big Aipan painting.
Agarwal said that an online voting was done to select one among five logos and two mascots for the proposed national games in the state. The voting saw a participation of 17000 people and based it the department has selected the logo and mascot which reflects the culture and natural beauty of the state.
The sports secretary Shailesh Bagoli said that the department is planning to hand over the task of management of the stadium to a private company and three companies have shown their interest. He said that a final tender for it would soon be launched.