Ahmedabad may bid to host 2026 Commonwealth games after Australia pulls out over cost concerns

As per a ToI report, the original plan was to prepare Ahmedabad for the 2030 Commonwealth Games with a goal of completing all infrastructure projects by 2028. However, the recent development with Victoria has prompted the state government to actively contemplate hosting the 2026 Commonwealth Games instead. They are hopeful that the Union government will support Ahmedabad’s bid for the event.

ToI report, quoting top government sources said that the government is confident to finish all infrastructure works in time. They said that all the projects for the 2036 Olympics bid would be completed by 2026.

As per the report, a significant push for the Olympic bid has been under the personal supervision of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The top leadership of the BJP has urged the state government to simultaneously initiate work on all related projects.

Meanwhile, the Gujarat government is also preparing to place a bid for hosting the 2036 Olympic Games.

To prepare for the Olympics bid, the state government has recently engaged the services of Australia-based business planning consultancy, Populous. They have been tasked with creating a master-plan for Ahmedabad’s potential Olympic bid. The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave, encompassing the Narendra Modi stadium and the Naranpura Sports Complex, will serve as the focal point for hosting various Olympic sports if Ahmedabad wins the bid for the 2036 Summer Olympics.The ambitious Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Sports Enclave will span 236 acres in Motera and is estimated to cost around Rs 4,600 crore. It will boast facilities for up to 20 sports disciplines within its expansive 93 lakh square feet of built-up area. Additionally, the project includes constructing 3,000 apartments to accommodate athletes, support staff, sports officials, and others during the event.Earlier this year, the state government established two committees to monitor the progress of projects for Ahmedabad’s bid to host the 2036 Olympics.