Bengaluru: The Karnataka Cabinet on Thursday gave its ‘in-principle’ approval for the construction of a world-class cricket stadium and multi-sport complex at Anekal taluk in Bengaluru Urban district, marking a major step toward enhancing the state’s sporting infrastructure. The proposed project, estimated at a cost of ₹2,350 crore, will be one of the most ambitious sports infrastructure developments in southern India.

State’s third international stadium in the making

The upcoming facility, to be built on 75 acres of land at Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension in Indlavadi village, is envisioned as a state-of-the-art sports complex capable of hosting international cricket matches and multiple other sports disciplines.

Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil briefed reporters after the Cabinet meeting, confirming the approval of a proposal by the Housing Department. “The Cabinet has approved a proposal by the Housing Department to build the stadium and sports complex on 75 acres at Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension, Indlavadi village. We have directed the department to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and conduct a viability study,” he said.

If realised, this project will become Karnataka’s third international cricket stadium, following earlier government approvals for similar facilities in Mysuru and Tumakuru. The new stadium in Anekal is expected to further cement Bengaluru’s status as a major sporting hub.

Grand design and facilities

Providing more details, Housing Minister B.Z. Zameer Ahmed Khan revealed that the upcoming stadium will have a seating capacity of 80,000 spectators, making it one of the largest sports venues in India. Alongside cricket, the complex will cater to 24 indoor and outdoor sports, with an additional 3,000-seat auditorium for events, conferences, and cultural programmes.

“With these world-class facilities, it will become one of the largest and most advanced sports complexes in the country,” Khan stated.

According to officials, the proposed design will include training academies, athlete hostels, fitness and rehabilitation centres, and green open spaces for public recreation. The focus, authorities said, will be on sustainability, accessibility, and international sporting standards.

Addressing Bengaluru’s long-standing need

The Housing Department’s project note emphasised the necessity for a new stadium in Bengaluru, highlighting the limitations of the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which currently has a capacity of just 38,000. Despite being the home ground of Royal Challengers Bengaluru, the Chinnaswamy has not hosted international cricket since June 2004, when a stampede during the team’s IPL victory celebrations led to 11 fatalities.

Following that tragic incident, the Justice John Michael Cunha Commission had recommended shifting major events to “better-suited venues” with modern crowd management and safety infrastructure. The Anekal project, officials noted, aligns with those recommendations.

“Cities smaller than Bengaluru, including Lucknow, Ahmedabad, and Guwahati, already boast larger stadiums with advanced amenities,” a senior Housing Department official said. “The new complex will bring Bengaluru back to the global sporting map.”

Boost to state’s sports infrastructure

The government sees the Anekal project as part of a larger effort to decentralise sporting facilities and expand opportunities for athletes across Karnataka. The new stadiums in Mysuru, Tumakuru, and now Bengaluru (Anekal) are expected to distribute the hosting of national and international events more evenly across regions.

The upcoming complex will also create employment opportunities in construction, sports management, and tourism, while providing a professional platform for grassroots athletes to train in world-class environments.

Other Cabinet approvals

In addition to the sports complex proposal, the Cabinet also approved input subsidies at rates higher than those prescribed under NDRF/SDRF guidelines. These subsidies will support farmers affected by recent heavy rainfall and floods across Karnataka, covering 12.82 lakh hectares of damaged land.

Officials stated that the higher rate of compensation demonstrates the government’s commitment to providing relief to the state’s agricultural community alongside its focus on long-term infrastructural development.

A new era for Karnataka sports

Once completed, the Anekal stadium will stand as a symbol of Karnataka’s renewed commitment to sports excellence, providing facilities that can host international tournaments, promote youth participation, and attract global sporting events to Bengaluru.

Experts believe the project could also complement the state’s growing reputation in IT and start-up innovation, positioning Bengaluru as a sports-tech and wellness capital of India.

With the DPR and feasibility studies set to begin soon, the project marks a historic step in Karnataka’s sports infrastructure development — one that promises to reshape the future of competitive sports in the state.

Karnataka Cabinet approves ₹2,350 crore plan for world-class sports complex in Anekal

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