21 hrs ago
Chennai Unveils ₹1,200-Crore Secretariat and Sports City Plan
Tamil Nadu wants to build a large sports area in Chennai called an Olympic City.
It would have stadiums, training centres, housing, and medical help for athletes.
The goal is to help athletes win more medals in major competitions.
The state also plans a Motor Sports City for racing.
It could train young drivers and host races such as Formula 1.
The government also wants a new building for the Assembly and state government offices.
That building is expected to cost ₹1,200 crore and have 20 lakh square feet of space.
Officials have discussed bringing Formula 1 back to India, but sources have mentioned different target years.
Chief Minister C Vijay Joseph announced an Olympic City and Motor Sports City for Chennai under Assembly Rule 110.
The Olympic City is planned with arenas, training facilities, athlete accommodation, and sports science and medicine centres.
The Motor Sports City would develop young racing talent and seek to host Formula 1 and other international events.
A new integrated Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex is estimated to cost ₹1,200 crore and cover 20 lakh square feet.
National motorsports discussions have cited 2028 or 2030 as possible timelines for Formula 1’s return to India.
- Who
- Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Vijay Joseph, also identified in one report as C Joseph Vijay, and the Tamil Nadu government.
- What
- Plans were announced for an Olympic City, a Motor Sports City, and an integrated Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex in Chennai.
- Where
- The proposed projects are planned for Chennai, Tamil Nadu; the exact location of the new Secretariat complex has not been disclosed.
- When
- The announcements were made on Thursday under Assembly Rule 110; national motorsports discussions have mentioned 2028 and 2030 for Formula 1’s possible return.
- Why
- The sports projects are intended to improve athlete training, develop motorsports talent, host international events, and support sports tourism and economic activity. The Secretariat project would consolidate state government departments and address space constraints.
2028 Return Target
2030 Return Target
Possible Formula 1 timeline
2028 Return Target
A Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports task force has discussed bringing Formula 1 back to India by the end of 2028.
2030 Return Target
Arindam Ghosh of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India said work was progressing toward bringing Formula 1 back by 2030.
Key facts
- Olympic City oversight
- The Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority is expected to oversee the Olympic City.
- Olympic City facilities
- Plans include international-standard arenas, advanced equipment, a High Performance Training Centre, sports science and medicine centres, and accommodation for athletes and coaches.
- Motor Sports City
- The proposed facility is intended to support Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3 and Formula 4 racing, as well as driver training.
- Secretariat cost
- The proposed integrated Assembly-cum-Secretariat complex is estimated to cost ₹1,200 crore.
- Secretariat size
- The complex is planned to have approximately 20 lakh square feet of built-up area.
- Existing administrative sites
- Government offices currently operate from Fort St George and Namakkal Kavignar Maaligai.
- Formula 1 timeline
- A Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports task force discussed a possible return by the end of 2028, while an FMSCI official referred to 2030.
Quotes
C Vijay Joseph
Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu
“An Olympic city will be set up in Chennai. A motor sports city will also be set up in Chennai to host Formula 1 races. The talents of youth in motor sports will be identified, and training and racing opportunities will be provided to create national and international level champions.”
livemint.com
“The meeting with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya, Minister of State Raksha Khadse, senior officials and potential stakeholders in New Delhi, focused primarily on bringing F1, MotoGP and a round of the WRC to India.”
livemint.com
Sources
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