The Rajiv Gandhi international cricket stadium to be constructed at Raipur in Dehradun will bring Uttarakhand on the international sports map.
The Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna said this while speaking at a programme on the occasion of Bhumi pujan at the site where this stadium is to be built.
The CM said that the tender procedure for the construction of this stadium had been completed with transparency and the timeline for construction had been given.
The stadium will be constructed in 18 to 24 months.
Bahuguna approved the proposal to institute award for sportspersons in Uttarakhand in the name of his late father and ex- UP CM HN Bahuguna and starting of a pension scheme for veteran sportspersons in the name of Pt GB Pant.
He also announced an increase in the allowance given to contract workers in the Sports Department.
“Passion is needed to progress in sports. There is no dearth of sporting talent in the State and the State Government is also eager to encourage sports,” he said.
Expressing gratitude to ONGC CMD Sudhir Vasudeva for ONGC’s support in the construction of this stadium, the CM said that it had also contributed to building the identity of Dehradun.
Welcoming the decision to award Bharat Ratna to cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, he opined that Sachin visiting Mussoorie with his family after announcement of this award to him, will definitely encourage tourism in Uttarakhand.
Referring to the recent disaster, the CM said that in provision of relief to the disaster affected, the State had given preference to humanity over standards.
The Geological Survey of India is undertaking mapping for construction of secure roads, he informed.
State Sports minister Dinesh Aggarwal claimed that the stadium would prove to be a national landmark.
Replete with all necessary facility, this stadium will attract people from across the nation and abroad. Athletics, boxing, badminton and volleyball will also be facilitated in this stadium complex, he added.
The ONGC CMD Sudhir Vasudeva said that the dream seen by cricket lovers in Doon will be fulfilled with the construction of this international level cricket stadium.
In addition to the `50 crore assistance, the ONGC will also provide technical and commercial assistance to the State Government in the construction of this stadium, he added.