11 years, multiple redesigns, Rs 239 crore: Why UP's Velodrome is still incomplete

Lucknow: Started in June 2015, Uttar Pradesh’s first international-standard velodrome at Guru Gobind Singh Sports College remains stuck in limbo, with construction yet to resume despite a revised design being sent to the Sports Authority of India (SAI), Delhi, for approval in Dec 2025.The long-pending cycling infrastructure project has been marred by repeated redesigns, escalating costs and prolonged delays, leaving the state’s cyclists waiting for a world-class facility more than a decade after the foundation was laid.So far, Rs 59.41 crore has been spent out of the Rs 60 crore released for construction work, but the project remains far from complete. The velodrome was initially sanctioned at Rs 167.93 crore, the cost of which later rose to Rs 187.95 crore after the addition of GST. Following a fresh redesign to meet international specifications, the estimated cost has now climbed further to nearly Rs 239.95 crore. On Sept 2, 2021, TOI reported that cyclists were dissatisfied over modifications introduced due to budgetary constraints. A follow-up report on Dec 13, 2025, noted that while the velodrome structure had finally begun to take shape, no significant progress was made on completing the cycling facility.In a fresh push, the Uttar Pradesh sports department wrote to the secretary, ministry of youth affairs and sports, on May 19, 2026, seeking technical scrutiny of the revised project through SAI. The letter sought expert examination of the technical standards, construction quality, prevailing market rates and overall necessity of the revised works, while requesting directives for technical supervision of the cycling track project.Officials said the redesign was initiated after high-level discussions in July 2025 between chief secretary Manoj Singh and principal secretary (sports) Manish Chauhan to ensure the facility meets international benchmarks. The revised model was subsequently forwarded to SAI, and construction is expected to resume only after formal approval is granted.The delay also led to financial setbacks. In the 2025-26 budget, the state earmarked Rs 5 crore for the project, but the allocation lapsed after it was not released for execution. The amount remained unutilised.Project manager, UP Rajkiya Nirman Nigam, Sanjay Singh, said multiple reminders were sent to SAI since the revised design was submitted in Dec last year, but no response has been received.“No construction has been carried out since last year. While Rs 59.41 crore has already been utilised, further work cannot proceed until approval comes through,” he said.Secretary, sports and youth welfare, Suhas LY, said the department has intensified follow-up efforts with both SAI and the sports ministry.“A nodal officer has been appointed and will be sent to Delhi to pursue the matter and obtain clarity on the status of the submitted velodrome model. Once approval is received, the department will seek the detailed project report from the executing agency and release fresh funds for construction,” he said.