Five Delhi stadia to be let out for public use

DIBRUGARH: The five stadia in national capital Delhi would be let out for public use during off sports season to generate revenue for their maintenance, Union Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal today said.

"The total maintenance cost of the five stadiums in Delhi, including their upkeep and staff salary, is Rs 64 crore per year. The revenue earned now is Rs 20 crore to Rs 25 crore. So there is a big gap," Sonowal told PTI here.

Therefore, to generate revenue, they will be open for public use like marriages, gatherings, conferences, etc. during non-sports seasons and when there are no sporting events, said the minister who is an MP from Assam.

"We are targeting a revenue generation of Rs 100 crore. Initially the Delhi stadiums will be opened up followed by the ones in other states in a phased manner to earn revenue for their upkeep," he said.

The stadia will be opened for public use only during the non-sports season and when there are no events there in the sporting calender, he said.