The construction of the multipurpose hall at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Gurugram has been stuck for nearly one and a half decades. The work, which started in 2010 to provide better indoor facilities to athletes, came to a halt in 2011 and has not resumed since. Despite changes in government and management agencies, the structure remains incomplete, leaving thousands of players without necessary resources.
Why has the construction stopped since 2011?
The project was launched during the tenure of the then government with an estimated budget of ₹20 to ₹25 crore. The Haryana Shehri Vikas Pradhikaran (HSVP) was responsible for the construction. However, the work stopped just one year later in 2011. By that time, only the underground level had been constructed.
Over the years, the ownership of the stadium was transferred from HSVP to the Gurugram Metropolitan Development Authority (GMDA) in 2017. Reports indicate that HSVP was supposed to complete the structure and hand it over to GMDA for finishing, but this process remains stuck. Due to these long delays, the estimated cost of the project had already risen to ₹36 crore by 2018.
What is the current condition and future plan?
The situation on the ground is worrying for sports enthusiasts. The partially built structure has suffered damage due to waterlogging and rust over the last 15 years. In 2021, inspections revealed that the existing construction might be too damaged to use and could require a fresh start. Currently, the basement area is often filled with rainwater.
Key updates on the project:
- New Mega Plan: GMDA has prepared a project worth ₹634.30 crore to redevelop the entire stadium, including this hall.
- Drainage Fix: A separate tender of ₹7.25 crore has been approved to solve waterlogging issues in the stadium.
- Player Impact: Over 1,500 players visit daily but lack indoor space for wrestling, boxing, and badminton.
While officials mention that the finishing work will start once the structure is handed over, no immediate deadline has been set for restarting the specific construction of the multipurpose hall.
