The Karnataka Government has given 'in-principle' approval to build a world-class cricket stadium and sports complex at Anekal, the southern edge of Bengaluru, for an estimated cost of INR 2,350 crore. In 75 acres of land in Suryanagar Fourth Stage Extension, Indlavadi village, the new stadium aims to boost Karnataka's sporting infrastructure and offer a stage for international cricket and other major events. Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister H.K. Patil has stated that the cabinet approved the proposal and asked the Housing Department to prepare a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and carry out a viability study. The DPR will analyze project scope, cost of construction, technical specifications, safety norms, environmental considerations, and long-term operating planning. The stadium will be the third international cricket ground in Karnataka, after a new project approved recently in Mysuru and another coming up in Tumakuru. With a capacity to seat 80,000 people, the Anekal stadium will be over twice the size of Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium with a seating capacity of only 38,000. Alongside cricket, the sports complex will feature facilities for 24 indoor and outdoor sports and a 3,000-seat auditorium, making it one of the largest sports complexes in India. Also Read: Watch: Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Share Wholesome Moment During Batting Exchange The move follows the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium is space and infrastructure-starved. International cricket has not been organized there since June 2025, when a devastating stampede after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's win in the IPL left 11 dead and several others injured. The Justice John Michael Cunha Commission had suggested shifting big-ticket cricket events to venues that are better equipped. Simultaneously, the Anekal project will promote regional development. Road connectivity, parking, water supply, power, and civic amenities will be developed to cater to massive crowds, and public transport, security, and emergency services will be upgraded as well. These developments are expected to induce tourism, realty investment, and hospitality businesses, yielding short- and long-term economic gains. The stadium is planned as a multi-purpose facility, with the ability to accommodate concerts, corporate functions, and cultural events, thus ensuring round-the-year activity and income. Futuristic amenities such as hospitality lounges, media centres, LED display screens, floodlighting, and fan engagement areas will offer a world-class environment to spectators, players, and officials alike. Facilities for differently-abled visitors, technology-enabled ticketing, and sophisticated crowd management systems will add further safety and convenience.