The preparation for the 2030 Commonwealth games in Ahmedabad are in full swing with the event’s planning and execution at an operational cost estimated between Rs. 3,000 crores to Rs. 5,000 crores according to a PTI report. A reliable source which was closely monitoring the preparation stages revealed that while the operational budget is getting clearer, the broader financial requirements for the infrastructure upgrade is still in the calculation phase. These upgrades will cover both sporting facilities and other major ground developments during the event.
According to a PTI report, Gujarat has taken ‘requisite lessons’ from then troubled 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, which was overturned by the constant cases of delays, corruption, mismanagement and budget overruns. Maintaining transparency and financial discipline appears to be a strong priority this time. As the source explained, “The operational cost for the Ahmedabad CWG would come to Rs 3,000 to Rs 5,000 crore. This does not include funds (capital expenditure) that will go into building other infrastructure, some of it being handled by the urban development department”.
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He further mentioned that, “Obviously, the cost incurred for building public infrastructure will not be counted towards the Games as the utility of that is going to be beyond the Games. It’s a slightly long-drawn process and we will need some time to come to a definitive estimate”.
Operational costs typically cover expenses directly tied to hosting the games during the event period. A slight portion may be recovered through ticket sales, sponsorship agreements and other commercial attributes. In comparison, the operational cost for the 2010 Games had crossed Rs 2,600 crores, far exceeding the original estimate of Rs 635 crores. The total expenditure eventually blew past Rs 70,000 crores, making it the most expensive Commonwealth Games ever.
Gujarat’s Principal Secretary (Sports), Ashwani Kumar has confirmed that the proposal to establish the Organising Committee as a not for profit company is actively being evaluated. Such a structure, he noted, was successfully used for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games and had been recommended by the CAG following the Delhi Games. “It (not a profit company) is under serious consideration… I don’t want to dwell on what happened in the Delhi Games but I think lessons have been learnt”, he said. The committee is expected to be formally constituted by late December or early January 2026.
