Tamil Nadu Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Aadhav Arjuna on Monday told the Assembly Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay would soon make an announcement on the proposed Sports City with international-standard facilities.

“It will accommodate 46 sports and the work will begin within six months of the Chief Minister making the announcement,” he said, responding to Leader of the Opposition Udhayanidhi Stalin, who wanted to know about the Sports City announced during the previous DMK government.

Mr. Aadhav Arjuna, who also holds the Sports Development portfolio, made it clear there was no plan to drop the Sports City project, but that it was only being restructured.

“A Sports City to match Olympic standards was the objective of the DMK, and it is also the goal of the [present] DMK government,” he said, adding it would be under the control of the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and not anyone else.

Mr. Udhayanidhi said it was not easy to acquire 23 acres of land in Chemmenchery, near Chennai.

Pointing out no international-standard stadium had been constructed after the one built during the tenure of former Chief Minister Jayalalithaa in 1994, Mr. Aadhav said a detailed project report for the Sports City was being prepared. It would include facilities for aquatic sports, archery, skating, BMX and multi-sport activities.