Patna: Bihar’s first international-standard hockey ground in the state capital is set to be ready by August, with work on the long-delayed Astroturf stadium at the NCC campus behind Rajendra Nagar Physical College entering its final phase. The remaining work is expected to be completed by Aug 15.The Rs 8.44-crore project is being executed by the Bihar Urban Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd (Buidco). Installation of the Polytan Blue Astroturf, imported from the Netherlands, began this week. Officials said the latest-generation surface is used in international hockey tournaments, including the Paris Olympics 2024.Hockey India officials have inspected the facility and cleared it for hosting national-level matches. The ground has also received certification from an FIH-authorised agency, confirming compliance with international standards. With these approvals in place, work on laying the turf has begun, while the pathway, sprinkler system and other supporting infrastructure will be completed in the coming weeks.Buidco managing director Animesh Kumar Parashar said the base construction, LED floodlighting and water management systems have already been completed. The playing area measures 100m x 60m, while the fenced complex spans 104m x 64m.The facility will be equipped with 20 high-capacity 1,000W lights and 40 LED 500W floodlights, enabling night matches. Initially, a 25-seat gallery will be available, with plans to develop a permanent 1,000-seat gallery and provision for 1,500 temporary seats in the second phase. An ultra-modern dormitory for outstation players is also part of the project.The transformation of the site has been challenging. The land was once a two-metre-deep waterlogged marsh covered with tall grass and plagued by continuous seepage, making it unsuitable for sporting activities. Thousands of trolley loads of soil, sourced from Patna Metro excavation sites, were brought in to reclaim the land, while swampy pockets were excavated and filled with rubble to stabilise the ground.The project’s foundation stone was laid on Teachers’ Day in 2011 by then arts, culture and youth affairs minister Sukhada Pandey, with an original completion target of 2013. However, work remained stalled for years. The project gained fresh momentum after the department handed it over to Buidco on Aug 30, 2023. Parashar has directed officials to ensure timely completion of the facility.The stadium will be Bihar’s second international-standard hockey venue after Rajgir in Nalanda district. The state govt expects the facility to provide local players regular access to an international-standard playing surface and strengthen Bihar’s prospects of hosting national and international hockey tournaments in the future.
