Mumbai, Sept. 2 -- The Tamil Nadu Sports Development Authority (SDAT) has terminated the Rs 2,058.9 million (Rs 2,058.9 mn) work order for the Semmencheri Global Sports City along the Old Mahabalipuram Road corridor. The foundation stone for the project was laid by then chief minister M K Stalin on 18 February and the contract had been awarded on 20 February 2026 to RPP Infra Projects Limited (RPP Infra). RPP Infra disclosed the cancellation in a filing to the National Stock Exchange and said it received formal communication from SDAT on 12 August 2026.
SDAT informed the company that the Global Sports City will be redesigned on a larger footprint to make fuller use of available land and to develop a comprehensive venue capable of hosting major national and international events on the scale of the Asian Games. RPP Infra said it had already begun work and had incurred significant costs before the termination. The company stated it had engaged with SDAT in an effort to preserve the original scheme but the authority proceeded with the cancellation.
According to the filing, the decision followed a broader review of ongoing state projects undertaken by the new administration and no revised timeline or budget for the redesigned project was provided. RPP Infra said it is evaluating the financial and other implications of the termination and assessing its rights and remedies under the terms of the work order. The company attributed an inadvertent delay in notifying exchanges to these circumstances and expressed regret over the late disclosure.
The first phase of the Global Sports City was planned across more than 80 acres and was to include an international-standard football stadium, shooting ranges at 10 metre, 25 metre and 50 metre distances, archery facilities, rowing and kayaking infrastructure and BMX cycling and skating arenas together with multi-discipline indoor stadia and residential hostels for athletes. Semmencheri was one of three shortlisted sites, alongside Kuthambakkam and Vandalur. The site has been prone to flooding and the chief secretary requested the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority to prepare a stormwater drainage plan.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.