Mumbai could get new stadium with one lakh capacity: Report

The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) has reportedly set its eyes on building a new stadium in the city that will be thrice as big as the iconic Wankhede, which has a capacity of 33,000.

Times of India has reported that MCA is planning to build a new stadium in the district of Thane, which is roughly 70 kms from the Wankhede stadium, which is located in the heart of Mumbai.

“The MCA is looking to build a massive 1 lakh capacity cricket stadium, spread on around 50 acres of open land in Amane, which is 26km off Thane, and 68km from the Wankhede Stadium. The MCA has filled the open tender floated by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) to acquire the land parcel,” TOI quoted a source as saying.

“The association is waiting for approval from the Maharashtra govt.”

According to the quoted source, the stadium was a dream project of former MCA President Amol Kale, who tragically passed away last month due to a sudden cardiac arrest. 

Should the project become a reality, then the new stadium will become the second venue in the country - after the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad - to have a capacity of more than 100,000.

Two days ago, Maharashtra deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis assured that the government will help the BCCI and MCA in its efforts to build a bigger stadium in the city of Mumbai.

“We have one of the historic stadiums in Mumbai in the form of Wankhede Stadium. Ashish Ji (BCCI treasurer and BJP MLA Ashish Shelar) is here. Mumbai needs a bigger stadium than Wankhede. Therefore, in the near future, our chief minister will extend all possible help to MCA and BCCI. Wankhede is a historic stadium and cannot be compared to any other. But it is time to give Mumbai a stadium with a capacity of more than one lakh,” said Fadnavis.

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