How DDCA let go of opportunities to build world-class cricket stadium

If New Delhi still doesn’t have a world-class cricket stadium, the blame lies squarely with the lackadaisical approach of the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) and its entrenched internal politics.

Over decades, this parent body of the sport in the capital has failed to deliver a modern venue, leaving the Ferozeshah Kotla grounds, now renamed Arun Jaitley Stadium, in a pitiable state compared to newer facilities developed by smaller associations like Pondicherry.

The Kotla conundrum

The Kotla lacks modern facilities in many respects, including a comparatively small playing field. Its location near the congested ITO Crossing exacerbates the issue, highlighting the urgent need for a new venue with state-of-the-art infrastructure.

When elections to the DDCA apex council were held recently, candidates once again raised the need for a new stadium—a refrain heard at every election for decades but rarely acted upon. The last major refurbishment of the Kotla was undertaken nearly 30 years ago for the 1996 World Cup, followed by other renovations and additions like new dressing rooms.

These upgrades, however, are no longer sufficient to meet the increasing demands of space and amenities for players, officials, and spectators.

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During Indian Premier League (IPL) and International Cricket Council (ICC) events when a large number of complimentary seats and facilities are provided to the tournament sponsors, the stadium’s limitations lead to disputes between the DDCA, the ICC, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Compounding the issue, new construction at the site is prohibited due to its proximity to the historical ruins of Feroz Shah Kotla.

Yet another promise

The DDCA is once again promising a new stadium. Re-elected DDCA president Rohan Jaitley included the plan in his manifesto, as noted by secretary Ashok Sharma ‘Mama’.

“We are trying to acquire land to build a new stadium with a 60,000–65,000 capacity as Delhi has expanded significantly. The current Arun Jaitley Stadium’s 30,000–40,000 capacity is no longer sufficient,” Sharma told Patriot.

He added, “We are looking for land preferably within a 10–15 km radius of the Kotla grounds. We have requested the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) for assistance and are ready to pay a subsidised price. Money will not be an issue, and the BCCI is willing to support us.”

The BCCI provides Rs 100 crore to its affiliates under its infrastructure subsidy scheme, and while the DDCA has availed part of this benefit, the exact figures remain unclear due to the lack of detailed financial disclosures in BCCI balance sheets.

Funds, however, are not the primary hurdle. With the Rohan Jaitley panel enjoying an absolute majority in the apex council, it faces no opposition to its plans. The challenge lies in resisting the temptation to splurge on contentious contracts and prioritising genuine development.

Where is the land?

The real challenge for the DDCA is finding suitable land in central Delhi for a modern stadium capable of hosting IPL and ICC events, besides other matches.

During Arun Jaitley’s tenure as DDCA president (1999–2013), two potential sites were identified: one in Saket, later developed into a commercial mall complex, and another near the Sarai Kale Khan Inter-State Bus Terminal. Both opportunities were squandered, largely due to internal politics and a lack of will to prioritise the project.

“At the time, we focused on renovating the Kotla rather than building a new stadium,” a senior DDCA life member told Patriot. “The plan was to make the Kotla one of the world’s best cricket venues and consider a new stadium later. But that never happened.”

Today, the Rajghat thermal power station site, which has been proposed for redevelopment, remains a potential option. Sharma acknowledged this, saying, “That sports city project planned for Sarai Kale Khan was cancelled, I think. It was a fantastic location for a stadium. Now, the DDA can perhaps allot us land near Rajghat, where the thermal power station stood.”

Also, the DDA is planning to build an international cricket stadium on a 50-acre land identified in the northwest Delhi suburb of Narela. So, it remains to be seen how seriously the DDA will take the DDCA’s request.

Another big miss

Around 22 years ago, the DDCA missed a golden opportunity to have a modern, world-class stadium. It was a tripartite proposal between the DDCA, DDA, and BCCI to build a sports city near the Sarai Kale Khan Bus Terminal.

According to the proposal, cricket and football stadiums, a cricket academy, a museum, residential facilities for players and officials, and parking for 17,000 cars were to be constructed.

The plan even proposed relocating the BCCI headquarters from Mumbai to Delhi. If cricket were included in the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, matches could have been played at this stadium.

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Additionally, IPL chairman Lalit Modi had told this reporter at the IPL launch press conference in September 2007 that the 2011 World Cup final could have been hosted at this new venue. However, the final was ultimately held in Mumbai, indicating the project had been on the table for several years but never materialised.

The estimated worth of the sports city was over Rs 100 crore, with the cricket project alone valued at Rs 28 crore around 2002. The BCCI, led by president Ranbir Singh Mahendra (2004–05) and backed by his predecessor Jagmohan Dalmiya, strongly supported the idea and aligned with the DDCA, which even deposited Rs 25 lakh with the DDA for the project.

The advance payment appeared in successive BCCI balance sheets as “advance paid Rs 0.25 crore to DDA for purchase of land.” However, the amount was written off in the 2015–16 financial year, labelled as “impaired during the year” ending March 31, 2016. These missteps—fuelled by politics and lack of action—explain why Delhi still lacks a world-class cricket stadium today.