THE SPORTS AUTHORITY of India (SAI) has approved the Delhi government’s proposal to reduce the rental rates for all major stadia in the capital by 40–50% for both sports and non-sports events.
The move is expected to draw more national and international concerts and large-scale events to Delhi, many of which had shifted to other cities due to high venue costs in Delhi.
The decision follows a joint initiative between the Delhi government and the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and SAI approved the reduction after several rounds of consultations with industry stakeholders.
In a bid to preserve the sanctity of its stadia that also host non-sports events during the off season, SAI has introduced significantly higher tariffs and stringent penalties for organisers who fail to return the five facilities here in good condition after such gatherings, The Pioneer reports.
For schools, colleges, universities and registered societies, the fee has been kept at Rs 1 lakh at JLN Stadium, Rs 25,000 at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, and Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 for various ranges of the Karni Singh Arena.
According to SAI, national and international level sports events organised by the federations and associations recognised by the sports ministry will not have to pay anything to hire the venues except for electricity charges.
The daily further reports that the revised rates, notified through a circular dated September 18, categorises events based on who uses them. Category 1 includes government schools, recognised sports associations, and government departments. Category 2 is for private educational institutions and registered sports societies. Category 3 encompasses all other events, primarily commercial and private bookings.
Sharing SAI’s decision on social media, Delhi minister for art, culture and languages and tourism Kapil Mishra posted that the reduction in stadium-booking charges is a “historic step” in turning the capital into a hub for live events and concerts. “Nearly 40-50 per cent cut in the rents of Delhi’s major stadiums..! An important step towards making Delhi an international hub for Event and Concert economy… The rates of Delhi’s major stadiums have been reduced, so that more events can be held in Delhi Sports Authority of India, Union Minister @mansukhmandviya ji has taken this big step in the interest of Delhi,” he tweeted.
Hindustan Times quotes officials as stating that the reduced rates will boost tourism, create jobs, and open opportunities for allied sectors such as hospitality, food and beverage, and transport. Previously, steep rentals often made Delhi unviable for international concerts and festivals, but the revised structure is expected to attract higher footfalls and spending.
The Delhi government has been working to reposition the city as a cultural capital by maximising the use of its stadium infrastructure beyond sports. Venues to benefit include Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Indira Gandhi Sports Complex (including the Indoor Stadium), Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range, Syama Prasad Mookherjee Swimming Pool Complex, and Talkatora Indoor Stadium.
Officials told HT that further measures, including simplifying event permissions and introducing a single-window clearance system, are being discussed to make Delhi a preferred global destination for cultural and entertainment events.
The Pioneer further reports that JLN, primarily an athletics and football venue, is among the most popular cites for hosting non-sports events like music concerts and it earlier cost a relatively low Rs 4.5 lakh to book its main arena by Indian artistes. The rates have hiked the cost of booking to a massive Rs 25 lakh, which is a relief for international performers who were supposed to pay “around Rs 50 lakh” earlier. “The main arena of the JLN Stadium will be given on rent for non-sports events on condition that the event organiser ensures proper protection cover (mats/rugs etc.) of area to be utilised on Field of Play,” stated the 66-page SAI notification which the daily accessed. In case there is a failure to ensure a post-event clean-up, SAI said that it would charge a penalty at 10% of per day tariff and would also have the discretion to “blacklist” such organisers from future event bookings.
The introduction of penalties takes note of the poor condition in which SAI has sometimes received its venues, the most recent case in point being popular Punjabi singer Diljit Dosanjh’s ‘Dil-Luminati’ concert in JLN at the end of which the stadium was found to have been left in a pathetic state.
The Indira Gandhi Sports Complex’s main arena, which was earlier available for Rs 8 lakh for non-sports events like music and fashion shows and film screenings, will now cost Rs 16 lakh per day for up to five days as per revised tariffs. The IG Complex has facilities for boxing, gymnastics, wrestling and a cycling velodrome. As for the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, which is primarily a hockey venue, SAI has fixed the tariff for main pavilion and spectator gallery at Rs 5 lakh per day. The concrete area around the Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, which could earlier be hired for a nominal `30,000 per day will now be available at Rs 5 lakh.
