With Gujarat preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games, the state government plans to develop a ₹1,450-crore sports complex at Karai.
The proposed facility will bring world-class competition venues, athlete accommodation and training infrastructure together on a single campus.The proposed Karai Sports Academy will include an athletics stadium, indoor shooting ranges and a multipurpose weightlifting arena.
Designed to meet Olympic and Paralympic standards, the complex aims to support major sporting events, including the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and National Games, while strengthening Gujarat’s sports infrastructure.
Strict Deadlines for CompletionThe government has set phased deadlines to ensure the project is completed on time. The indoor shooting ranges for 10-metre, 25-metre and 50-metre events must be completed within 18 months.
The athletics stadium and weightlifting arena have a completion deadline of 30 months, while the remaining site-development work must be finished within 36 months.The contract includes penalties for delays and incentives for early completion.
Delayed work will attract a penalty of 0.05% per day, capped at 10%. Conversely, the agency will be eligible for a bonus of 0.015% per day for completing the work ahead of schedule, subject to a maximum of 3%.
Seven-Year Operation and MaintenanceUnder the proposed arrangement, the agency responsible for designing and constructing the complex will also operate and maintain it for seven years, instead of handing over the completed infrastructure to a separate operator.
The maintenance contract will cover sports facilities, electrical and plumbing systems, fire safety, housekeeping, security, parking, landscaping and sports equipment.Payments will be linked to performance, with deductions of up to 10% of the monthly service fee for failure to meet key performance indicators.
The Karai sports complex is envisioned as a long-term sporting asset that will help train athletes, nurture emerging talent and strengthen Gujarat’s ability to host major national and international competitions.