As Ahmedabad gears up to bid for the 2036 Olympics, the city’s landmark Sardar Patel Stadium is set for demolition. A state-of-the-art facility, compliant with Olympic standards, will replace the existing structure in Navrangpura.

The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has in-principle greenlit the plan to tear down the stadium and build a new one, equipped with top-notch infrastructure. 

Unused to hold sporting events for long, the stadium has been hosting political and cultural gatherings. However, since last April, AMC deemed it unsafe even for these activities. Situated in the bustling Navrangpura area, the 63-year-old stadium occupies a sprawling 67,000 sq m plot. The structure is visibly worn, with cracked stands and gates. Exposed, rusting iron makes it hazardous. “It is not even fit for organizing any cultural event,” said a senior AMC official. Notably, the stadium doesn’t qualify as a heritage site, making its replacement more practical.

Renovating the stadium would cost around Rs 60 crore. Though building a new one would be pricier, it’s a more feasible option, according to AMC officials.

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