Dimapur sports complex to be handed over to SAI

Nagaland chief minister Neiphiu Rio on Thursday said the long-pending Multi-Disciplinary Sports Complex at Dimapur was in the process of being handed over to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) as the most practical solution for completing the project.
The project began in 2006 and implemented under the Youth Resources and Sports (YR&S) department but has remained incomplete for the past 20 years.
Responding to concerns raised by NPP legislator Nuklutoshi during the fifth day of the eighth session of the Assembly, Rio said the project covers 64.25 acres and is among the largest sports infrastructure initiatives in the state.
The entire area has been fenced and was free from encroachment. Initially conceptualised as a major athletic stadium with a seating capacity of 30,000, the RCC gallery structure alone was estimated at Rs 60.57 crore in 2006-07, Rio stated.
He said the state government had sought financial assistance from the then Planning Commission, which released funds in instalments of about Rs 11 crore annually between 2006 and 2011, amounting to Rs 43 crore.
Rio, however, said the initial planning may not have been comprehensive, particularly regarding functional rooms and other facilities required for a stadium of such scale.
With the transition from the Planning Commission to NITI Aayog and the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST), funding support became uncertain, slowing the project.
He said the state government later contributed Rs 97 crore through capital investment, taking the total funds invested in the project so far to Rs 140 crore. However, the overall requirement has now risen to about Rs. 267 crore, including GST and additional components.
Considering the financial constraints, Rio said handing over the complex to SAI would enable the remaining works to be completed and the facility developed into a national-standard coaching centre for sportspersons from the state.
He also recalled that former Union minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur had deputed officials to inspect the stadium and an in-principle agreement was reached, though the process was later delayed due to changes in ministerial portfolios.
According to Rio, necessary formalities have now been completed and the memorandum of understanding (MoU) is under process. The proposal is currently with the state’s Law & Justice department and, once cleared, the MoU will be signed with the regional directorate of SAI. After roofing and walling works are completed, the contractor will hand over the project to SAI.
The chief minister also stressed the need to improve road connectivity to the stadium, stating that the complex presently has only one entry point. He suggested developing at least three approach roads– from the south-east, north and possibly from the west towards Dimapur Government College– while noting that two existing roads would require widening and compensation for land acquisition.
Rio said delays could not be entirely blamed on the contractor as funds had not always been available in sufficient amounts. Once the remaining works are completed, the project will be handed over to SAI.
He expressed confidence that the complex would then be completed and utilised by SAI with deployment of national-level coaches across various disciplines, enabling the “dream stadium” to host national and regional sporting events.
Supplementing his starred question, Nuklutoshi said the project has been ongoing for more than 20 years and is nearing its “silver jubilee” without completion. He said the project was initiated during Rio’s tenure and sought clarification on whether the government intended to complete it or if it risked being abandoned after decades of delay.