Chennai could get world's largest stadium

The Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) is planning to build a stadium which will have "more seating capacity Eden Gardens or the Melbourne Cricket Ground" in Chennai for the 2011 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.

The stadium, which will also have a retractable roof to prevent wash-outs, will be located on a 50-acre site in Karunkuzhipallam village in Kanchipuram district which is 25 kilometers outside Chennai. The TNCA is yet to find a contractor for the project.

"The government has leased out the land to us for 30 years and we have remitted Rs 1 lakh as payment," N Srinivasan, the TNCA president, told Times of India. "TNCA's executive committee will meet on Thursday to discuss plans, including awarding of construction contract."

"The stadium will have more seating capacity than Eden Gardens or the Melbourne Cricket Ground, though we can't give an exact number at this stage. It will meet futuristic safety standards," TNCA honorary secretary KS Viswanathan said.