Ahmedabad: The Commonwealth Games are just four years away, and wheels for getting major sports infrastructure ready have been set into motion with land acquisitions as well as masterplan designs. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation’s (AMC) town development department recently received plans for the Aquatic Arena cum Aquatic Centre, which will be part of the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, for approval from the consultants. Tenders for the facility’s construction will be floated once the plan is approved.A state govt official, speaking anonymously, said, “Land continues to be acquired, and construction plans drawn up so far are being submitted to AMC for approval. Currently, the plan for the aquatic arena and centre has been submitted.” According to sources, while land acquisition is in the final stages, authorities are facing litigation on some portions around the Narendra Modi Stadium. These belong to the Bhartiya Seva Samaj, Sadashiv Pragya Mandal and Sant Shri Asaram Ashram.The govt official said, “Looking at the Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad and the possibility of hosting the 2036 Olympics Games, the state govt has prepared a master plan for the Sardar Patel Sports Enclave, which will come up on approximately 650 acres, including the Narendra Modi Stadium and its surroundings, in Motera.”Construction of the Rs 5,050 crore enclave has been planned in two packages. “The earlier plan was to float tenders by Nov 2025 and finalize them by 2025-end, with the project completion target set for Dec 2028. But litigation delayed acquisitions. But this process too is in its final stages. Besides acquiring land, changes have been made in TP schemes to acquire reserved plots,” the official added.Package I of the enclave project includes, among other facilities, the aquatics centre at an estimated Rs 2,250 crore. The Rs 2,800 Package 2 includes an indoor arena, a tennis centre, the National Institute of Sports Excellence and athlete housing. “Building plans for the institute and athlete housing too will be submitted for approval soon,” a source said.
