₹22.6 Crore Under the Scanner: Lalit Modi Questions Ghaziabad Cricket Stadium Delay, UPCA Defends Decade-Long Project
A fresh controversy has emerged over the long-delayed Ghaziabad International Cricket Stadium after former IPL commissioner Lalit Modi publicly questioned the fate of ₹22.6 crore released by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) in 2016. Through a series of social media posts, Modi demanded greater transparency over the utilisation of the funds and sought answers on why the ambitious project has remained incomplete nearly a decade after financial support was sanctioned.
The ₹22.6 crore was reportedly provided by the BCCI as part of its financial assistance for the proposed international-standard cricket stadium in Ghaziabad. Modi alleged that despite the release of funds, no comprehensive public audit or time-bound progress report has been made available. He questioned whether the money was spent as intended and called for an independent inquiry into the project’s execution and financial management.
Another issue raised by Modi concerns the change in the stadium’s proposed location. According to his allegations, the original plan envisaged construction at Gram Bhanera in Loni, but the site was later shifted to Morti. He argued that the new location is close to the Hindon River and near the Hindon Air Force Station, making it unsuitable due to flooding concerns and aviation-related restrictions. These claims have reignited debate over the planning process and land selection for one of Uttar Pradesh’s most anticipated sports infrastructure projects.
The Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association has strongly rejected the allegations. UPCA Vice-President Rakesh Mishra stated that the project has been carried out within the legal framework and that all land acquisition and approvals were undertaken with the support of the Ghaziabad Development Authority (GDA). According to the association, the prolonged delay was primarily caused by a dispute over Floor Area Ratio (FAR) regulations rather than any financial irregularity or misuse of BCCI funds.
Officials also highlighted that the project has continued to receive government backing over the years. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the stadium project in 2018 and attended its groundbreaking ceremony in 2019, while the formal foundation stone was laid in 2024. UPCA maintains that construction has resumed after regulatory issues were addressed and expects the stadium to be completed by around 2028.
BCCI has largely refrained from entering the public debate. Vice-President Rajeev Shukla declined to respond directly to Modi’s allegations, instead referring questions to the UPCA. The cricket board has not issued any detailed public clarification regarding the 2016 financial assistance or the expenditure linked to the project.
The controversy has once again drawn attention to governance and accountability in Indian cricket administration. While no official agency has announced any investigation into the ₹22.6 crore allocation, Modi’s remarks have intensified public scrutiny over infrastructure projects funded by cricket’s governing bodies. The debate has also highlighted the broader expectation that major sporting investments should be accompanied by transparent financial disclosures and regular public progress reports.
As construction continues, the Ghaziabad International Cricket Stadium remains an important project for Uttar Pradesh’s sporting ambitions. However, until clearer documentation on fund utilisation and project milestones is placed in the public domain, questions surrounding the nearly decade-old BCCI allocation are likely to remain part of the discussion over cricket governance and infrastructure development in India.
