Gaya: Gaya is going to have a new stadium on the south-eastern outskirts as the Harihar Subramaniam Stadium, built more than half-a-century ago, stands in a dilapidated condition and some of its half-built stands have already collapsed and others on are the verge of collapse.

The old stadium is regarded as a stumbling block in the proposed beautification and landscaping of Gaya's Gandhi Maidan. With WHO declaring Gaya the fourth most polluted city in the world, demands to declog the city's lungs have become louder. Central Bihar Chamber of Commerce chief Kaushalendra Pratap in a petition addressed to chief minister Nitish Kumar sought his intervention to reduce pollution through pro-active measures.

District magistrate Abhishekh Singh recently inspected the site of the proposed stadium-cum-athletics complex. The project is estimated to cost around Rs 5 crore.

According to Singh, the proposed stadium is to be built on a 13.6-acre area near Bhusunda village.

As per specifications, the new stadium would be 217m long and 176m wide. The stadium, being built in a conventional mode (it will not have synthetic turf) will have facilities for football, high jump, long jump, javelin throw, hammer throw and shot put. There would also be a track for runners. A 230m-long parking area will also be developed.

The DM has directed building construction officials to begin the tendering process within a week. According to sports lovers, the ill-planned Harihar Subramaniam Stadium only has some half-collapsed stands. Even the football playing area is not properly levelled and players frequently get injured. Orthopaedic Dr Farasat Hussain provides free medical assistance to those getting injured.

On account of the stadium's poor condition, no major sporting activity takes place, except for some local cricket and football matches.

Sources in the District Olympic Association said the old stadium will be demolished only after the construction of the Bhusunda stadium.