OMR to Host ₹301-Cr Global Sports City with Flood-Proof Design

Chennai’s Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR), better known for tech parks and traffic snarls, is gearing up for a major transformation with the upcoming ₹301-crore Global Sports City. The first phase of construction will begin within three months, combining high-performance sports infrastructure with ecological restoration.

Spread across 127.44 acres and led by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the Water Resources Department (WRD), the project is being developed in phases. Phase 1 will cover 76.44 acres, featuring dedicated zones for football, archery, shooting, aquatics, rowing, kayaking, canoeing, skateboarding, and BMX. A multipurpose indoor arena, athlete hostels, and landscaped open areas are also part of the plan.

A key highlight is the 13-meter-wide, 1-km-long water channel built to professional standards for rowing and kayaking—marking the country’s first integrated water sports facility within a sports complex. “It’s a unique initiative combining elite sports with sustainable planning,” said Meghnath Reddy, Member-Secretary, SDAT.

What sets this project apart is its flood-resilient design. The WRD will revive six surrounding irrigation tanks, boosting their combined storage from 16.23 to 96.38 million cubic feet (mcft). The excavated soil will be reused for land grading, cutting filling costs by nearly ₹6 crore. Additionally, a new 42-acre tank with a 20 mcft capacity will be constructed on-site, complete with regulators and inlets to control monsoon runoff.

Peripheral flood control will include 4.1 km of earthen drains and a concrete channel to divert excess water safely into the Pallikaranai marsh through the Buckingham Canal safeguarding low-lying neighbourhoods like Navalur, Semmancherry, and DLF Garden City.

Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA) is overseeing site access through grid roads, while discussions are underway with Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) to integrate the facility with future metro lines.

Urban planners welcome the move but caution that execution must prioritize water flow. “If done right, this project could recharge the region’s groundwater and reduce flooding,” said urban planner K R Thoovayan.