Races to return at Buddh International Circuit, but where are repair funds?

NOIDA: The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) is seeking clarity from the state government over who will bear the cost of repairs and renovations at the Buddh International Circuit, where MotoGP-Bharat is scheduled to be held this September.
The circuit is currently at the centre of a land row. Though given to the Jaypee Group, the allotment for the 1,000-hectare land where the racing track is built was cancelled by YEIDA in 2019 over non-payment of dues.
The matter is currently subjudice in the Allahabad high court.
MotoGP organisers in India estimate that making the tracks suitable for the high octane motorcycle race will cost around Rs 40 crore.
“The Authority had received a letter from one of the organisers about some repair and renovation work that needed to be done at the Buddh International Circuit... As of now, we do not have received any written instructions. So, we are writing to the state government and seeking their guidance,” YEIDA CEO Arun Vir Singh said on Thursday.
Authority officials also said they will seek legal opinion on the issue.
India’s only Formula 1 motor racing track is also supposed to be the first in the country to host the global motorcycle racing sport between September 22 and September 24 this year.
Earlier this month, one of the MotoGP organisers in India, Noida-based Fairstreet Sports, said they have written to YEIDA about a recent survey that threw up some changes needed for the track. Among them are extensions to be built on some turns, which were originally constructed keeping F1 in mind but need to be made safer for a motorcycle race. Organisers have also sought resurfacing of the track in certain stretches and some electronic changes.
Fairstreet Sports COO Pushkar Nath Srivastava said on Thursday that the organisers are ready to give the slot of official partnership to YEIDA if the authority takes responsibility for the renovation work.
“Greater Noida is going to benefit hugely from this event. According to the global marketing research firm, wherever MotoGP goes, it makes a direct impact of Rs 1,000 crore on that particular province. Last time, it made an impact of Rs 1,700 crore at Lombok Island in Indonesia. So, we have requested the government to assist us and give us some direct benefits in holding the event successfully,” Srivastava said.
He added that the company has also signed an MOU with the state government to invest Rs 472 crore for the September event.