The PTFE roof above the VVIP gallery at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in ranchi; (below) a worker cleans synthetic tracks at the stadium on Thursday. Pictures by prashant Mitra

Not many know that the grand Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium was the inspiration behind the renovation of Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium that hosted the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

Among the ideas adopted by CWG organisers was the imported, dust and fireproof roof that has been used in the Ranchi stadium, which boasts a seating capacity of 35,000. To host all the athletics events, apart from the opening and closing ceremonies, the main stadium occupies pride of place in the 275-acre Mega Sports Complex. With its many elliptical pylons and ramps that lead to the upper tiers, it adds to the futuristic look of the area that houses seven other smaller stadiums. Now for a tour, courtesy, A.S.R.P. Mukesh

ROOF’S A HIT

The stadium’s fire, dust and rust proof roof, is made of poly tetrafluoro ethylene (PTFE). Designed by an Australian firm, the 11,550 square metre roof material was imported from Japan for Rs 8 crore and took four months to fix.

“It’s maintenance free and has a 15-year warranty. We have two, one at the VVIP section and one at the press box,” said R. Parthosarathy, senior project manager of Hyderabad-based Nagarjuna Construction, the builders

FRIENDLY FOR ALL

As many as 12 double lifts have been fitted in the stadium. Four towers in the corners connect to middle and upper galleries. The pathways are designed to allow wheelchairs till the upper tier. “Visitors will take this route. But, there will be no overcrowding or security problems when VVIPs and players enter the stadium. The disabled, too, can reach the top gallery without any difficulty,” said Parthosarathy

WARM-UP

An air-conditioned enclosure inside houses a six-lane warm-up track of 80 metre. “No athletics stadium in the country has such tracks. Participants can use this half-an-hour before their events,” said Rakesh Kumar Singh, Mega Sports Complex in-charge

ON TRACK

The synthetic track, designed according to international standards, is imported from Switzerland. The grass, however, is home grown — from Chennai

SPACE-AGE DESIGN

Doing away with cemented pillars, 62 elliptical pylon columns of 20 metres in height surround the stadium, which, from some angles, resemble a spaceship

STATE LOUNGES

Thirty-six lounges, with all basic facilities, are being prepared on the ground floor to accommodate state contingents. Besides, there are 32 dormitories that can accommodate 1,000 people

JAI HINDI

Of the 120 engineers at work, 40 were form Andhra Pradesh. Initially, language was a problem. But now, all say they can speak and follow Hindi. “I hardly knew Hindi but now I can interact in the local language with my workers,” said Sagar, a junior engineer