Varanasi International Cricket Stadium Highlights: PM Narendra Modi Lays Foundation Stone

‘Expanding Sports Infrastructure Important for Nation’s Development’

“Our daughters will not have to go far to train. In our new policy, sports has been put in the same category as Science, Commerce. Sports was regarded as an extra-curricular activity but not anymore. It will be taught as a subject. We have a national sports university in Manipur. We are spending crores in developing sports in UP too. Developing sports infrastructure necessary for the nation’s progress,” Modi said.

PM Modi Sends his Wishes to Indian Contingent

“My best wishes to Indian contingent for Asian Games. People from various regions of the country have immense talent and they have to be encouraged. Through Khelo India, we are identifying talents across the country. Government is taking steps to mould them into world-class athletes,” Modi said.

‘Govt Assisting Players at Every Step’

PM Modi says India’s success in sports in recent time has to do with the change in the mindset and adds that sports is now equated with a career option. He adds the government has continued to express its support to athletes at every step of the way.

Sigra Stadium to be Developed

PM Modi says the Sigra Stadium in Varanasi will be developed into a sports complex and will be completed soon.

‘Jo Khelega, Wahi Khilega’

PM Modi says nowadays even parents realise the importance of sports. “Jo khelega, wahi khilega,” says Modi.

PM Modi Addresses Gathering

PM Modi says the stadium will be a blessing for the youth, it will give them a chance to train at a world class facility.

“Today, the world is connecting with India through cricket. With more nations now playing cricket, it’s expected the number of matches will rise and with that, we will need more stadiums. Banaras’s cricket stadium will help in meeting the demand. It will be the star on the our horizon. BCCI will play a major role in developing the stadium. I would like to thank them for this,” Modi said.

PM Modi Lays Foundation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has officially laid the foundation for the Varanai’s International Cricket Stadium.

CM Yogi Addressing Gathering

Yogi Adityanath welcomes PM Modi and cricket legends present for the event.

PM Modi Presented With Mementos

UP CM Yogi Adityanath has just presented PM Modi with a memento. And now, BCCI secretary Jay Shah has presented him with a bat.

Sachin Tendulkar has presented him with a Team India jersey.

PM Modi Touring in an Open Jeep

Right now Prime Minister Modi is currently meeting people of his constituency while taking a tour in an open jeep alongside CM Yogi Adityanath.

PM Modi Arrives in Varanasi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached Varanasi where he was greeted by UP CM Yogi Adityanath. He will soon be laying the foundation stone of an International Cricket Stadium.

Tendulkar, Gavaskar Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple

Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, BCCI secretary Jay Shah among others have paid a visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple.

Varanasi is set to get a world-class international cricket stadium and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will himself be present to lay the foundation stone today. Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath will be in attendance as will be several cricket legends including Sachin Tendulkar, Kapil Dev, Sunil Gavaskar, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar and more.

“Tomorrow another golden chapter is going to be added in the journey of Baba Shri Vishwanath ji’s holy city Kashi. Respected Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji will lay the foundation stone of ‘International Cricket Stadium’ costing approximately ₹451 crores in Varanasi tomorrow”, Adityanath had said in a post on X.

“Apart from this, Kashi MP will also inaugurate 16 newly constructed Atal Residential Schools at a cost of approximately ₹ 1,115 crore by participating in the closing and prize distribution ceremony of the Cultural Mahotsav 2023. Your hearty congratulations Prime Minister!” the UP CM said in a post on X.

PM Modi will reportedly spend seven hours Varanasi which is his parliamentary constituency and he will also address a rally of women supporters where he will speak about the women’s reservation bill.

“Prime Minister Narendra Modi will lay the foundation stone of the cricket stadium in Ganjari. He will then address a rally of over 5,000 women at the Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyalaya on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam 2023,” Varanasi Commissioner Kaushal Raj Sharma said on Friday.

Here’s everything you need to know

The Foundation Ceremony

As per the information, PM Modi will reach Varanasia by air and lay the foundation stone around 1:30 PM IST for the International Cricket Stadium.

The Land

As per UP government, Rs 121 crore was spent to acquire the land for the stadium while the BCCI will spend Rs 330 crore on its construction.

The Stadium

The venue will reportedly be built at a cost of Rs 451 crore and expected to have a capacity of hosting 30,000 spectators. The stadium will feature crescent-shaped roof covers, floodlights shaped like a trident, patterns resembling bel leaves, and one of the structures shaped like a ‘damru’, a hand percussion instrument associated with Lord Shiva. The spectators’ gallery of the stadium will resemble the steps of the ghats of Varanasi. Situated near the Ring Road in Rajatalab area, it is likely to be ready by December 2025, it said.

UP’s 3rd Such Stadium

Varanasi will thus become the third city in UP to have an international cricket stadium after Lucknow (Ekana) and Kanpur (Green Park).

Cricket Fraternity

A host of cricket legends have been invited for the ceremony. Top BCCI officials including president and former India allrounder Roger Binny will also be present alongside board secretary Jay Shah.

Project Deadline

The stadium is expected to be constructed by December 2025.