Report: Delhi's Ambedkar Stadium to undergo major revamp

There hadn’t been any proper renovation at the Ambedkar Stadium since 2007.

In a significant renovation that will be handled by the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the Dr. BR Ambedkar Stadium will undergo an upgraded exterior, new dressing rooms, a cafeteria, renovated stands, and a media center, according to officials connected to the plans.

As per the officials, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi has called for bids on February 19 for the ₹5 crore stadium renovation project. With a 35,000 capacity, the stadium has previously enjoyed the hosting rights of important international and national football competitions like the Nehru Cup, Subroto Cup, and Durand Cup.

A senior MCD official told the Hindustan Times that the project’s first phase is anticipated to cost approximately ₹4.8 crore and will be finished in six months following the project’s award to a contractor. 

The official mentioned, “The stadium was last renovated ahead of the 2010 Common Wealth Games. Under the latest plan, we will work on the improvement of the stadium facade along the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. New facilities will be added for players in the form of construction of dressing rooms. The west stands of the seating area are also going to be revamped.” 

The official also added, “Under the beautification project, we will be improving the facade of the stadium, along with redesigning Gate number 4 and 5, which are used by the spectators to enter the facility.  The tiled roof sections in the stands will be revamped by using clay Mangalore tiles.” 

Formerly recognised as the Corporation Stadium, the Ambedkar Stadium hosted football tournaments such the Durand Cup, DCM Trophy, Subroto Cup, and the Delhi Football League. International football competitions like the Nehru Cup in 2007 and 2009 were among the other high profile events to take place at the stadium. The stadium also housed the Delhi Soccer Association‘s offices.

Officials stated that the stadium needed restoration mainly because a significant refurbishment hadn’t been in place since 2007. The report created for the renovation project states that the drainage system will be improved and the stadium’s lavatory facilities will be modernized.

The Hindustan Times conducted a spot check and discovered that many areas of the stadium required maintenance and repairs. Parts of the main facade and the spectator stands along the Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg were losing plaster layers, leaving the iron bars underneath exposed to the weather.

Numerous entrance points were blocked with iron bars, and the glass windows and stair railings were smashed. There were cracked tiles and an overflowing toilet block in the corner part. There were missing and rope-covered sections of the steel railing encircling the football pitch.

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