The Uttar Pradesh government has allocated Rs. 8 crore (about US$1.05 million) for the MotoGP Bharat event to be held at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida from September 22 to 24, 2023. The money will be used to modify the track and repair offices and buildings at the venue.
“We will give Rs. 8 crore to the "Invest UP" department, which will coordinate with the organisers of this event as per the directions made during Monday’s meeting. Earlier, the state government had asked the three industrial bodies to provide funds and we have done that. Apart from track changes, we are also building roads, installing streetlights and taking other steps to beautify the area around the venue,” said Arun Vir Singh, chief executive officer, YEIDA.
The occasion will see guests and riders from somewhere around 22 nations. The Yamuna Freeway Modern Improvement Authority (Yeida) has been coordinated to go to viable measures to guarantee that the occasion is directed with 'discipline and grandeur'.
The authorities of Yeida, Greater Noida, and Noida had previously allocated Rs. 10 crore for making changes to the track at Buddh International Circuit, which was intended for Formula One races.
The Federation Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM), the international governing body for motorcycle racing, is currently carrying out an audit to declare it fit and safe for the racing event.
“About 80 riders from 40 international teams will arrive in the city on September 19 and racing teams from Honda, Yamaha, KTM, and Ducati, among others, will participate in the racing event. The riders will measure the track on foot, cycles, and small bikes and acclimatise themselves to the circuit. On the first day of the event, a free practise session will be held, while the main racing event will be held on the next two days,” said Pushkar Nath Srivastava, chief operating officer, FairStreet Sports Private Limited.
Around 6,000 foreigners, including 3,000 personnel of the MotoGP crew and bikers, will be in Greater Noida for the racing event and around 2,000 international spectators are expected to arrive in the city for the racing event.
The MotoGP Bharat event is the first time that India will host a round of the FIM MotoGP World Championship. The race is expected to attract over 100,000 spectators and generate Rs. 100 crore (about US$13 million) in revenue for the state.
The Uttar Pradesh government is keen to promote tourism and sports in the state, and the MotoGP Bharat event is seen as a major opportunity to achieve this. The government is also hoping that the event will boost the local economy and create jobs.
The Buddh International Circuit is a 5.148-kilometer (3.197-mile) track that was built in 2010. It hosted Formula One races from 2011 to 2013, but the races were discontinued due to financial problems. The circuit has since been modified to make it suitable for MotoGP racing.
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