Rabindra Sarobar Stadium closed suddenly amid plans for major redevelopment

All sports activities at Rabindra Sarobar Stadium in Kolkata came to a halt on Thursday after the stadium gates were suddenly locked by authorities. Practice sessions and regular sporting activities were suspended from around 10:30 am, affecting multiple football clubs and athletes who use the venue for daily training. The closure created uncertainty among sports organisations associated with the stadium.

According to sources, the decision to shut the stadium was taken by the state government as part of a proposed redevelopment plan. The stadium has historically hosted football matches and athletics events, including Indian Super League fixtures in previous years. However, its role as a major sporting venue has declined in recent years.

Southern Samity, one of the clubs that regularly trains at the stadium, confirmed that its activities had been disrupted by the closure. Club official Sourav Pal stated that the stadium had been locked by government authorities and said clubs participating in regular league competitions are planning to jointly approach the government seeking permission to continue training operations.

Sources indicated that newly appointed Sports Minister Nisith Pramanik is interested in converting Rabindra Sarobar Stadium into a modern sports complex. Proposed redevelopment plans reportedly include the installation of an Olympic-standard athletics track along with upgraded sporting infrastructure aimed at reviving the stadium’s role in state sports activities.

The closure is also reportedly linked to efforts to remove long-term occupants from parts of the stadium premises who allegedly had no direct involvement with sports activities. Authorities are believed to be attempting to reclaim those spaces and dedicate the stadium entirely to sporting purposes. No official statement had been issued by the sports minister at the time of reporting.