Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his parliamentary constituency of Varanasi, marked the commencement of an international cricket stadium by laying its foundation stone. The ceremony witnessed the presence of cricket legends such as Tendulkar, Gavaskar, Shastri, and Vengsarkar, along with key figures from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), including President Roger Binny, Vice President Rajiv Shukla, and Secretary Jay Shah.
The Uttar Pradesh government disclosed that it has allocated Rs 121 crore for land acquisition, while the BCCI will invest Rs 330 crore in the stadium’s construction. The stadium, designed to accommodate 30,000 spectators, will embody the “essence of Kashi.” Its distinctive features will include crescent-shaped roof covers, trident-shaped floodlights, patterns resembling bel leaves, and a structure shaped like a ‘damru,’ a hand percussion instrument associated with Lord Shiva.
The stadium’s spectator gallery will replicate the steps of Varanasi’s ghats, and its location near the Ring Road in Rajatalab is projected to be completed by December 2025. This facility will become Uttar Pradesh’s third international cricket stadium, following those in Kanpur and Lucknow.
