UP inks MoU with Indian Oil for int’l cricket stadium | Lucknow News
Lucknow: The UP govt signed an MoU with Indian Oil Corporation to fund the proposed international cricket stadium in Gorakhpur. The company will provide financial assistance of Rs 60 crore for the project, as per the MoU signed on Thursday in the presence of chief minister Yogi Adityanath.The CM said the stadium would not be merely a sports facility but a “powerful platform to take emerging talent from eastern UP to national and global levels”. The international-level stadium would give fresh momentum to sports tourism, investment and overall economic activities in the region, he added.
Acknowledging Indian Oil’s contribution, the CM said: “This model of public-private partnership is playing a significant role in the state’s holistic development. I thank Indian Oil Corporation for extending CSR support to the construction of the Gorakhpur International Cricket Stadium.”The proposed stadium in Gorakhpur will have a seating capacity of 30,000 spectators and will be developed to international standards. It will be equipped with state-of-the-art pitches, practice areas, floodlights, modern dressing rooms, a media centre and high-end sports infrastructure. It will also provide a strong platform for training, skill development and excellence among young players. The project is targeted for completion by Dec 2027.Indian Oil chairman Arvinder Sahni described the MoU as a “matter of pride” for the group. He said the Indian Oil Group will extend all possible support for the all-round development of UP.The CM also spoke about the under-construction international cricket stadium in Varanasi, scheduled to be completed by June 2026. He said: “Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given new direction to sportsmanship and fitness culture in the country through initiatives such as ‘Khelo India’ and ‘Fit India movement’. In this year’s Budget, the UP govt made provisions to establish sports colleges in every division. Additionally, the construction of Major Dhyan Chand Sports University in Meerut is progressing rapidly.”
