On August 9, the Odisha Cabinet approved the State Sports Infrastructure Development Project, which calls for the construction of 89 multi-purpose indoor stadiums around the state. A total of Rs.693.35 crore has been set aside for the stadiums, which will be built in 18 months.

In recent years, the state government has put a strong emphasis and prioritized the development of sports infrastructure, and it has become a popular location for big sporting events.

The State Sports Infrastructure Development Project will be conducted in accordance with the government’s 5T programme (transparency, teamwork, technology, and timeliness leading to transformation). The precise ideas for these sporting facilities were developed in collaboration with citizens’ representatives and state athletes. Biju Patnaik Indoor Stadium will be the name of the stadiums.

This initiative by CM Naveen Patnaik and the Odisha government not only gives a forum for state sportsmen to grow and expand their talents, but it also serves as a backup plan in the event of a catastrophe. Not only are sports promoted, but the administration is also taking a rather humanitarian approach towards the people of the state.

These stadiums will host sports such as badminton, table tennis, and weightlifting, as well as a gymnasium and a yoga training area. These facilities will also be utilised for other purposes that have humanitarian touch.

The new stadiums will be constructed to resist winds of up to 200 km/hr, allowing them to provide refuge to people in their communities during cyclones and floods. These sporting facilities can also be utilised as hospitals in pandemic scenarios, with 50 beds in notified area councils and 100 beds in municipalities.

The BJD Government under CM Naveen Patnaik always cares for the people of Odisha and development of the state. This is yet another step towards transforming Odisha.