March 2027 deadline fixed for Vijayawada’s IGMC stadium makeover work

The Indira Gandhi Municipal Corporation (IGMC) stadium, which is more than five decades old, is undergoing a major makeover to make way for new and modern sports infrastructure coming up at a cost of around ₹29 crore.

According to information from the Sports Authority of A.P. (SAAP), a few existing galleries and courts have been dismantled for construction of new tennis, basketball courts and football field.

The work was initiated by the SAAP after receiving funds for these projects under the Union government’s Khelo India programme. So far, they have received ₹20 crore for the Phase-I works out of the required ₹29 crore.

The stadium will get an eight-lane synthetic track of 400 metres, a football ground, athletics-related infrastructure, four synthetic tennis courts, and two basketball courts.

Minister for Transport and Sports Mandipalli Ramprasad Reddy laid the foundation stone for these works on April 8 this year. According to officials, a deadline of March 31, 2027, has been fixed for completing all the works under the Phase I.

Until then, the stadium will remain closed to the public. Many of them are now finding alternative options to continue their walking, training and workout sessions. The stadium will be out of bounds for the Vijayawada Book Festival as well, which is held every year here.

Under Phase II and III, multipurpose indoor stadiums and a hall with a seating capacity of 2,000, weightlifting infrastructure, a chess academy, and a new administrative building are likely to be established.