Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh slams Odisha Sports Minister for ‘backing out’ from renovation of Barabati Stadium

Cuttack Mayor Subash Singh on Sunday slammed Odisha Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj for his statement that the State government has no plan for the renovation of the iconic Barabati Stadium.

Earlier, the previous government had laid the foundation stone for the renovation of Barabati Stadium with an estimated budget of Rs 700 crore. Even, the proposal was passed in the cabinet and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) was prepared in this regard.

However, in a reply to a query in this regard in the Assembly on Saturday, Minister Suryabanshi said that the government has no plan for the upgradation and redevelopment of Barabati Stadium.

In response, Singh rapped the BJP government by saying that the residents of Cuttack have been deceived. 

“With permission from BCCI and other bodies, the previous government had laid the foundation stone in last February for the redevelopment of Barabati Stadium in Cuttack with an estimated budget of Rs 700 crore. It was passed in the cabinet and a DPR was also prepared. To set aside the decision is the saddest news for the residents of Cuttack and all the sportspersons of the State,” said Singh.

In response to Singh’s allegations, Suryabanshi said nobody has discussed about the Barabati matter with him.

“The Mayor of Cuttack has not discussed about the matter with me,” said Suryabanshi.