UP plans sprawling Olympic Park near Noida Airport

Uttar Pradesh (UP) has unveiled plans for an expansive Olympic Park near the soon-to-be-constructed Noida International Airport. This initiative comes on the heels of the central government's recent announcement expressing interest in bidding to host the world's largest sporting event in 2036.According to a report by The Times of India, the Olympic Park will sprawl across approximately 1,100 acres, strategically located in Sector 22 along the Yamuna Expressway, aligning with the 2041 Master Plan.The focal point of this ambitious endeavour is the Olympic City, occupying an impressive 965-acre section of the park. Within this city, a remarkable 29 state-of-the-art arenas dedicated to various Olympic sports will be established. Additionally, the project envisions the incorporation of sports clubs, training and coaching facilities, convention centres, shopping complexes, and theme parks. Another critical aspect is the proposed Olympic Village, extending across 130 acres, designed to house 5,000 residential units, primarily consisting of 3 and 4-BHK apartments.These residential units are purposefully designed to cater to athletes and individuals involved in sporting events. While acknowledging that the development timeline for the Olympic Park may not align with a potential 2036 Olympic bid, officials stress that the facility will be among the world's finest upon completion.Arun Vir Singh, CEO of the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority, stated, The planning of this park has been executed with the belief that it will serve as the primary sports hub if India secures the opportunity to host the Olympics or any other international sports event post-2041. What will distinguish it from the world-class stadiums in Delhi is the sports cluster featuring 29 stadiums.Although the construction of the park is expected to span several years, a strategic and phased approach will be adopted to ensure efficiency and economic viability. The CEO emphasized the potential role of a public-private partnership (PPP) model in realising this world-class sports facility. The UP government has already outlined several significant projects in the Yamuna Expressway region, with the upcoming Jewar airport at the core of these initiatives. These projects include the establishment of a Film City and industrial manufacturing clusters for toys, apparel, and medical devices, further emphasising UP's commitment to enhancing its infrastructure and global stature.