Bihar Government Signs 30-Year Lease with BCCI to Revamp Patna’s Moinul Haque Stadium

Patna: The Government of Bihar on Wednesday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bihar Cricket Association, marking a significant step towards revitalising the historic Moinul Haque Stadium in Patna. Under the agreement, the Bihar government will lease the stadium to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for the next 30 years, with the aim of elevating the venue’s infrastructure to international standards.

The MoU was formalised by the Director of Sports, Bihar, and the President of the Bihar Cricket Association at a ceremony attended by prominent state officials. Deputy Chief Ministers Samrat Chaudhary and Vijay Kumar Sinha, as well as Bihar’s Sports Minister Surendra Mehta, were present, highlighting the government’s commitment to fostering sports infrastructure in the region. Other dignitaries included Dr. B. Rajender, Principal Secretary of the Sports Department, and Rakesh Kumar Tiwari, President of the Bihar Cricket Association.

The agreement follows a series of approvals and consultations with multiple state departments, including Law, Finance, and Revenue and Land Reforms. As part of the state’s broader push to develop sports infrastructure, the Cabinet Secretariat had previously established a dedicated Sports Department to manage and enhance facilities like Moinul Haque Stadium. The stadium, established in 1969 and boasting a capacity of 25,000, has hosted international-level cricket matches but has required significant upgrades to meet modern standards.

Under the MoU, the Bihar Cricket Association, in partnership with the BCCI, will oversee the renovation and operation of the stadium. The partnership aims to make the Moinul Haque Stadium a centrepiece for cricket in Bihar, with potential benefits for tourism and youth engagement in sports across the state.