India's First Eco-Friendly Green Stadium Unveiled

Thyagaraj Stadium, constructed for the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi has been tagged as India’s first ever energy-efficient stadium. This green stadium was inaugurated jointly by Union Sports and Youth Affairs Minister M. S. Gill and Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on 2nd April, 2010. This majestic structure stands in the heart of the very quiet residential colony behind the famous INA market of Delhi. The stadium is going to be the venue for the netball event of the upcoming Commonwealth Games from October 3rd - 14th and will continue to be used for sporting events and activities even after the Commonwealth Games.

According to the Public Works Department, Thyagaraj is the only one sports complex in Delhi which has been constructed from scratch at a cost of Rs.300 crore, whereas the other stadiums for the Games have been either renovated or upgraded. Moreover, this one has been built using the latest green building technology and energy-efficient construction material such as fly-ash bricks.

This multipurpose air-conditioned stadium covers an area of 16,000 square metres and provides world-class infrastructure for sporting activities. Seating capacity stands at 5,823 and 450 slots for car parking in the basement.

The stadium has three sets of escalators, separate entrances for players and VIPs, spectators and media people. It is also equipped with three ramps for the physically challenged besides audio-visual signage for those with visual or hearing impairment.

Other features include 10 vertical folding doors with fire sensors, which will enable automatic opening of doors to facilitate mass evacuation in case of fire. Also part of the system are retractable chairs, imported from China, which withdraw within seconds, enabling quick evacuation at the end of the Games.

Glazing

This sports complex has used glass extensively for purposes of insulation, energy saving and water conservation. The stadium has been glazed all around on the outside, thus regulating the ingress of heat from the atmosphere. The glass used allows very high light transmission and very low heat transfer, thereby increasing energy efficiency by regulating the use of artificial lighting as well as air conditioning.

There is also a composite aluminium roofing system with acoustic and thermal insulation properties. Piped natural gas (PNG)-run turbines that generate 3.5 megawatt power have been installed.

Solar Power

The stadium is also soon to be equipped with a gas panel for energy supply. Currently solar energy is being used for lighting purposes alone. The stadium will get power from solar panels and piped natural gas. The solar power generation system will be capable of generating 1 MW of energy, the largest in the country from a single solar unit.

Water Management System

This world class infrastructure also boasts of using recycled water and being equipped with a rainwater harvesting system within a 16.5 acre area. In addition, rain water collected on the roof of the stadium will be amassed in a tank for horticulture and flushing purposes.

Effluent Treatment Plant

Thyagaraj has an Effluent Treatment Plant for sewage treatment  processing with a capacity of two lakh litres a day.

The exhaust smoke generated by the gas turbine will be utilized for air-conditioning by installing a Vapour Absorption Machine (VAM) to run the air-conditioning of the building. The changing and rest rooms are fitted with hydrotect tiles, which have a coating of titanium oxide to improve air quality inside. Several steps have also been taken to minimise the carbon footprint of the building. Thyagaraj Stadium is truly worthy of being certified by every green building rating system there is.