To make Delhi hub for cultural events, SAI slashes stadium rentals by 40%-50%

“This initiative will provide a new impetus to organisers for holding national and international concerts and events in Delhi. It will also boost cultural activities, tourism, employment, and the economy,” she posted on X.

The Delhi government had last month proposed a reduction in the booking prices of these stadiums to SAI.

Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra said, “One of the major obstacles was the high booking rates of stadiums, which led to large events being organised outside Delhi, in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Gurgaon, and Noida. After discussions with Union Minister Mansukh Mandaviya and two meetings with the industry stakeholders, this historic decision was taken.”

SAI has five venues in Delhi —  Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Swimming Pool Complex, IG Sports Complex, Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Dr Karni Singh Shooting Range and JLN Stadium. With the revision, officials said the government is expecting to generate an annual revenue of Rs 30 crore.

Booking charges of JLN Stadium’s main arena for non-sports events have been reduced from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 25 lakh per day. While earlier, one needed to shell out Rs 71.8 lakh to book the entire stadium and its premises, this figure has now been reduced to around Rs 40  lakh per day.

For IG Sports Complex, organisers used to pay Rs 20 lakh, including electricity and other charges. This has now been revised to Rs 16 lakh. “The main arena of the complex will be given on rent for a non-sports event on the condition that the organiser ensures proper protection cover (mats/rugs)… Parking charges are extra… Electricity will be charged based on actual consumption. Floodlights will cost Rs 20,000 per hour extra,” read the SAI order notified on September 18.

To book Major Dhyan Chand Cricket Stadium — the main stadium, along with the open space in front of the heritage building and the open spaces near the tennis court — one would have to pay around Rs 26 lakh.

The booking charge of Jadhav Wrestling Stadium has been revised to Rs 6 lakh per day for the main area. Charge for the entire stadium is around Rs 37 lakh.

The per-day fee for booking Shyama Prasad Mukherjee complex has been set at around Rs 8 lakh, while to book the entire Karni Singh Shooting Range, one will have to pay Rs 2.2 lakh.