Cricket stadium in Kashi to help foster growth, says PM

Development of sports infrastructure on a large scale not only leaves a positive effect on sports but also on a region's economy, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in his parliamentary constituency Varanasi on Saturday

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Addressing an event after laying the foundation stone of an international cricket stadium in Ganjari area in the city, the Prime Minister said his government was developing sports infrastructure in every corner, including remote areas, of the country.

"This stadium in the city of 'Mahadev' [Lord Shiva] will be dedicated to the lord himself. I am hopeful that sportspersons here will benefit from this stadium, which will be equipped with all modern-day amenities and sporting infrastructure," Modi said at the event, which was also attended by Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and a galaxy of cricket legends.

"This stadium will emerge as the star of the Purvanchal region." Spread across over 30 acres, the international stadium - the third in the state after Kanpur and Lucknow-will be built near the Ring Road in Ganjari, Rajatalab area at an estimated cost of ₹450 crore and is likely to be completed by December 2025.