Chennai, Aug 28:
The Tamil Nadu government led by Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay has cancelled the work order issued for the proposed international-standard Mega Sports City at Semmancheri in Chennai.
The project was announced in 2023 by the previous DMK government with a proposed investment of Rs 206 crore. The sports city was planned on around 112 acres in Semmancheri, under the Sholinganallur taluk, with the objective of creating a major sporting infrastructure facility for athletes and international competitions.
The proposed facility was envisaged as a comprehensive sporting destination where hundreds of athletes could undergo training simultaneously. The government had also planned the facility keeping in mind Chennai’s growing potential to host national and international sporting events.
Its location was considered strategically suitable, particularly because of its connectivity to Chennai International Airport, allowing visiting international athletes and teams to travel conveniently during major competitions.
Following the announcement, land was identified and inspected for the project. Subsequently, a work order was issued to RPP, the company entrusted with executing the project.
However, the present Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) government has now decided to cancel the work order. A communication conveying the decision has reportedly been sent to RPP.
The cancellation brings uncertainty over the proposed sports city, which was expected to provide dedicated facilities for training and competitions and strengthen Chennai’s sporting infrastructure.
The government is yet to announce whether the project will be revived in its existing form, redesigned or replaced with an alternative sports infrastructure initiative at the site.