Patna: Construction of Patna’s first international-standard hockey ground is in its final phase, with authorities planning to install a latest-generation Polytan Blue Astroturf imported from the Netherlands. The turf is considered one of the most advanced surfaces used in international hockey and is expected to enhance training and competition standards for players in Bihar.
The facility is being developed on vacant land at the Rajendra Nagar Physical College campus at an estimated cost of ₹8.44 crore. Once completed, it will become the second international-standard hockey field in Bihar after the one built in Rajgir. Officials aim to complete the construction work by the end of March.
The hockey field measures 99 metres in length and 60 metres in width. While most of the construction work has been completed, installation of the sprinkler system—an essential component for maintaining astroturf surfaces—still remains pending.
The stadium complex will include floodlights, a hostel for players, changing rooms, a warm-up area and spectator stands. Officials said the facility will enable regular training sessions for local players and help improve the overall hockey ecosystem in the state.
However, hosting national or international matches at the venue may take more than a year, as supporting infrastructure still needs to be developed. At present, the ground does not have a direct road connection.
Building the hockey ground has been a significant engineering challenge because the site was earlier a marshy area. The land used to remain submerged under nearly two metres of water and was surrounded by continuous water seepage, dense grass up to three metres high and multiple layers of marshland, making it unsuitable for sports activities for many years.
To make the land playable, thousands of trolley loads of special soil were brought to the site. Engineers excavated marshy pockets using heavy machinery and filled them with rubble to stabilise the ground before beginning construction of the field.
Officials recently visited the site to review the progress of the project. Once operational, the facility is expected to provide a major boost to hockey training and development in Patna and across Bihar.
