Muzaffarpur: After a delay of over a year, construction has resumed on the Sikandarpur Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium. However, reduced funding has led to significant cuts in planned facilities, raising concerns among local residents and sports lovers.
Fewer Seats for Spectators: From 5000 to 2000
One of the major changes in the stadium’s revised plan is the sharp reduction in seating capacity.
- Originally planned: 5,000 seats
- Now finalized: 2,000 seats
This change was made after evaluating the capacity of the existing staircases. Instead of building new seating infrastructure, the project now focuses on refurbishing the old steps.
Did you know? The initial plan supported larger crowds, but engineering limitations and budget adjustments led to scaled-back seating.
No Canopy for Sun Protection
The stadium will no longer include the planned canopy (Ken OP), which was meant to protect spectators from direct sunlight. This feature was removed due to budget constraints, meaning attendees will be exposed to the weather during events.
Budget Cuts Have Changed the Project Scope
The stadium redevelopment was part of the Smart City initiative, initially allocated a budget of ₹19.36 crore. However, financial constraints led to a reduction of nearly ₹6 crore.
Revised Budget Details
- Original budget: ₹19.36 crore
- Amount paid to earlier contractor: ₹8 crore (for 53% completed work)
- New contract: ₹4.9 crore for the remaining 43%
- No increase in budget since the project began
Interestingly, this is the only Smart City project in Muzaffarpur where the budget has been reduced instead of revised upward.
Construction Delays and Cable Theft
The original contractor was removed due to slow progress, causing the project to remain inactive for nearly 15 months. During this period:
- Cables installed under the high-mast floodlights were stolen
- Several construction activities, including the squash court and pavilion, were left incomplete
Current Status and New Timeline
The Smart City team has brought in a new construction agency with a clear deadline of six months to complete all remaining work. According to Premdev Sharma, Senior Manager of Smart City Muzaffarpur:
“The remaining tasks include the squash court, pavilion, and the unfinished parts of the swimming pool. The new contractor is expected to deliver everything within the six-month timeframe.”
Project Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Project Name | Redevelopment of Sikandarpur Multi-Purpose Sports Stadium |
| Work Order Issued | February 23, 2021 |
| Original Deadline | May 22, 2022 |
| Completion Before Halt | 53% |
| Current Status | Work resumed after 15-month pause |
| Revised Deadline | Six months from restart (mid-2025) |
Key Takeaways
- Seating capacity reduced from 5,000 to 2,000
- No canopy to protect viewers from sun
- Budget slashed by nearly ₹6 crore
- Remaining 43% work awarded to a new contractor
- Six months set as the final completion period
While the restart of construction at Sikandarpur Stadium brings optimism, the reduced seating and missing features mark a clear shift from its original vision. Whether it can still serve as a vibrant sports venue for Muzaffarpur depends on how well the remaining work is executed and received by the community.
