Govt Seizes 80,000 Sq Metres Near Narendra Modi Stadium for Olympic-Ready Infrastructure
In a move that underlines Gujarat’s growing sporting ambitions, revenue authorities in Ahmedabad on Friday reclaimed over 80,000 square metres of prime land in Motera for the development of Olympic-level infrastructure. The land, situated adjacent to the Narendra Modi Stadium and Sardar Patel Sports Complex, is earmarked for sports facilities to support the state’s bid to host future global events, including the 2030 Commonwealth Games and potentially the 2036 Olympics.
The reclaimed site had been originally allotted to Bhartiya Seva Samaj in 1964 through a registered sale deed. However, the Gujarat government alleged in court that the trust had breached the conditions attached to the land allocation. The trust’s premises had reportedly fallen into disuse, and critical facilities on-site — including a dispensary and a girls’ hostel — had not been functioning for some time.
During a hearing at the Gujarat High Court on Friday, Government Pleader GH Virk informed Justice Aniruddha Mayee that the authorities had taken formal possession of the land after completing all required legal procedures. Virk emphasised that the acquisition was undertaken “in larger public and national interest.” The court has now asked the government to file an affidavit detailing the latest developments. The matter is scheduled for further hearing on June 26.
Seven elderly residents of the on-site old-age home, still functioning under the trust, will be relocated to alternative accommodation as part of the transition plan. The trust had earlier approached the court with a plea to halt the demolition of existing structures, arguing that it had not been provided with a viable alternative site despite being open to relocation. Two locations proposed by the state were found to be unsuitable for the trust’s social service operations.
The legal tussle traces back to 2023, when the District Collector issued a breach notice to the Bhartiya Seva Samaj. The trust, inspired by the teachings of Swami Krishnanand Saraswati, had been running welfare activities including old-age homes, educational institutions, and hostels for the differently-abled. However, the state argued that the trust had failed to utilise the land in accordance with the original terms of the allotment.
This land acquisition adds momentum to Gujarat’s sporting roadmap. The state has aggressively pitched Ahmedabad as a key host city for international multi-sport events. In recent weeks, a high-powered delegation led by Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghavi travelled to London to campaign for the 2030 Commonwealth Games. P.T. Usha, President of the Indian Olympic Association, formally presented Gujarat’s expression of interest on March 13.
The delegation’s proposal included plans to use existing infrastructure such as the Narendra Modi Stadium for opening and closing ceremonies, the athletics stadium at Karai, the aquatics centre, and facilities at IIT Gandhinagar for various events and athlete accommodation. The move to acquire land in Motera signals the state’s intent to plug any infrastructural gaps ahead of the Games and to eventually make a case for India’s first-ever Olympic Games in 2036.
With Gujarat actively shaping its image as India’s sporting nerve centre, the Motera land seizure marks a decisive step towards building a world-class Olympic village and training ecosystem in Ahmedabad.
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