Uncertainty looms over fate of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Stadium amid Ahmedabad’s 2036 Olympic aspirations

Ahmedabad’s 2036 Olympic aspirations shine brightly on the horizon, but a cloud of uncertainty casts a shadow over the fate of the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Stadium. Away in Navrangpura, this historic stadium, with its 63-year legacy, faces a significant crossroads. 

Two divergent proposals now rest upon the desk of the Ahmedabad municipal commissioner, each offering a contrasting vision for the future. One proposition advocates for a consultant-led revitalization endeavor, backed by a budget of INR 50 crore. The alternative proposal, in contrast, advocates for the stadium’s demolition to make way for a new Olympic arena. The choices ahead stand as a defining moment for the stadium, a landmark of considerable significance.

With a big expanse of 67,000 square meters, the SVP Stadium secured a place on the World Monument Watch list in 2020, an acknowledgement of its status as an architectural marvel. This global recognition aimed to spotlight the intricate challenges involved in safeguarding not only a 20th-century gem but also a cherished public space integral to the city and the nation.

The stadium’s history shines with illustrious moments, none more significant than hosting India’s inaugural ODI match on November 25, 1981, against England. While the stadium once held the distinction of being one of the world’s largest cricketing grounds in the 1960s, it now grapples with deterioration.