FIH-certified Rourkela hockey stadium world's largest in terms of seating capacity: Odisha govt
Bhubaneswar (PTI): Amid a row over the status of Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela among major stadia across the globe, the Odisha government claimed that it is the world's largest facility in terms of seating capacity and certified by the International Hockey Federation (FIH).
The Rourkela facility will host the Men's World Cup Hockey, organised by the FIH, along with Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar.
The tournament will be held between January 13 and 29.
After Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated the "world's largest hockey stadium" in Rourkela on Thursday, a BJP MLA contested the claim and asserted that it is "the fourth".
"Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium in Rourkela is the world's biggest. We are not saying this. It has been certified by FIH that the stadium is the biggest in terms of seating capacity," Sports and Youth Affairs Minister T K Behera said.
BJP lawmaker Shankar Oram from Biramitrapur in Sundergarh district claimed that the National Hockey Stadium in Pakistan's Lahore with a capacity of 45,000 people is the world's largest.
It is followed by Chandigarh Hockey Stadium (30,000) and Weingart Stadium (multipurpose) in Los Angeles in the US (22,355).
"Bisra Munda Hockey Stadium comes at number four", he said wondering how the chief minister called it the world's largest.
Odisha's Sports Secretary R Vaineel Krishna had earlier clarified to PTI that the Bisra Munda Hockey Stadium is the largest as 20,000 people can formally seat and witness a match which is not available anywhere in India.
Other stadia in India might have the capacity to accommodate more people but that includes "standing accommodation", he said.
The Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar has a seating arrangement for 15,000 people.
The Birsa Munda Stadium also has a World Cup Village with 225 rooms to house 400 players and officials. Of the total 44 matches of the World Cup, 20 will be played in Rourkela.
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17 dead in massive fire near Hyderabad's Charminar, PM announces ex-gratia
Hyderabad: At least 17 people have died after a massive fire broke out in a building near Hyderabad’s iconic Charminar early Saturday morning, NDTV reported. blaze broke out in a commercial-cum-residential building located in the densely populated Gulzar House area, which is known for its row of jewellery shops.
Preliminary reports suggest that a short circuit may have triggered the fire, though the exact cause is yet to be confirmed. According to fire department officials, they received an emergency call at around 6:30 am and immediately dispatched 11 fire engines to the site. Several individuals sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals.
Union Minister G Kishan Reddy, who visited the site, confirmed that the victims included members of a family living above their shop. "Such incidents are extremely tragic. Though I am not blaming anyone, there is a need to strengthen our police, municipal, fire, and electricity departments. I have been informed that firefighters initially lacked proper equipment. I will speak to the Prime Minister and request central support for the affected families," he said.
Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy expressed deep shock over the tragedy. He directed officials to intensify relief measures and ensure that the injured receive the best possible treatment. State Minister Ponnam Prabhakar added that all the bodies have been recovered and shifted to hospitals, and the government will soon release further details.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) also issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), expressing grief. "Deeply anguished by the loss of lives due to a fire tragedy in Hyderabad, Telangana. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. May the injured recover soon," the statement read. The PMO announced an ex-gratia payment of Rs. 2 lakh from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund (PMNRF) to the next of kin of each deceased, and Rs. 50,000 for the injured.
Rescue operations have since concluded, and an investigation into the incident is underway.
