Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna reviewing the G.D. Naidu flyover project in Coimbatore city on Sunday.
| Photo Credit: PERIASAMY M.
The proposal to establish an international cricket stadium in Coimbatore will be reviewed again following suggestions from the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), Public Works and Sports Development Minister Aadhav Arjuna said on Sunday (May 31, 2026).Speaking after inspecting sports and infrastructure facilities in the city, the Minister said that TNCA president had recently met him and proposed certain changes to the project plan. A joint inspection involving TNCA representatives, technical experts and the Minister would be conducted before a decision is taken on the future course of the project."After the inspection, we will decide how to proceed. Until then, there will be no further progress on the proposal," he said.In November 2025, the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO) invited Expressions of Interest to develop an international cricket stadium in Coimbatore under the public-private partnership mode on a Design, Build, Finance, Operate and Transfer (DBFOT) model. The proposed site identified for the project is the open-air prison campus near the Ondipudur flyover. The plan envisages a stadium with a seating capacity of 25,000 to 30,000 spectators.Earlier in the day, the Minister inspected facilities at the Nehru Stadium and interacted with students. He also reviewed the construction of indoor sports infrastructure being developed by the Coimbatore Corporation for volleyball, wushu, kabaddi and badminton near the stadium.The Minister later inspected the G.D. Naidu flyover, the Neelambur bypass and the Periyar Arivulagam at Gandhipuram.He said works at the Periyar Arivulagam would be completed in about three months. He also announced that steps would be initiated for a new flyover from Goldwins to Neelambur covering about five kilometres.On the proposed widening of the Neelambur bypass, the Minister said the project was facing issues related to the shifting of a gas pipeline. The matter would be taken up with the Union government and authorities concerned to facilitate implementation of the project.He also said the government planned to survey grounds under local bodies, government schools and other public institutions across the State. Floodlights would be installed at suitable locations and students would be allowed to use the facilities during morning and evening hours.Details of the available grounds would be brought under a common online platform to help students identify nearby facilities and access them for sports activities, he said. Published - May 31, 2026 07:29 pm IST
