A major boost is coming for sports in the Thane region, with a large multi-sport hub now set to rise at the Savlaram Maharaj Sports Complex in Dombivli. The project, planned on a 20-acre plot inside the MIDC belt, aims to give athletes from Thane district and neighbouring areas the kind of facilities they currently have to travel far to access.
The first phase of the sports city will cost Rs. 181 crore, and the state government has already approved Rs. 55 crore to get the work started. The development will be handled by the Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC), and once completed, the complex will be handed over to the Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) for operations and maintenance.
At the heart of the plan is a massive indoor sports building covering nearly 25,000 square metres. This structure will house a wide mix of indoor sports that athletes from the region have been demanding for years. The list includes badminton, table tennis, squash, snooker, martial arts, shooting, gymnastics and several more disciplines that currently lack proper training centres in the area.
A major highlight of the project is the Olympic-standard swimming facility. The blueprint includes a 1,250 square metre competition pool and a separate 400 square metre diving pool with a full platform setup. Given the rising interest in competitive swimming and diving, local athletes say the addition of such a facility will finally allow them to train at a high level without depending on distant centres in Mumbai or Pune.
To support the steady footfall expected once the complex becomes operational, the project also includes an underground parking area spread across more than 15,000 square metres. This is designed to reduce congestion around the complex and ensure easier access for athletes, parents and spectators.
The development will unfold in phases. The first phase will focus on the indoor sports complex and the full swimming and diving setup. The second phase will see the addition of a full-fledged outdoor stadium suited for larger sporting events. This stadium is expected to host district-level and state-level tournaments and provide a major platform for young athletes from Thane and nearby towns.
Local MP Srikant Shinde has been pushing for this project for the past three years, calling it essential for the region’s young talent. Over the years, he has highlighted how athletes from Kalyan, Dombivli, Ambernath and Titwala often face difficulties due to the lack of modern sports infrastructure. With support from Chief Minister Eknath Shinde and Industry Minister Uday Samant, the project has now moved into execution mode.
Sports enthusiasts in Dombivli and surrounding areas have welcomed the announcement. Many say that a multi-purpose sports city will reduce the long travel time for training, which often becomes a barrier for young athletes, especially those balancing school or college. Parents in particular believe such a complex can finally bridge the gap between local interest in sports and the lack of professional facilities.
Coaches in the region point out that indoor facilities are crucial not just for training but also for ensuring year-round practice unaffected by weather conditions. They say the inclusion of specialised spaces like shooting ranges, gymnastics areas and squash courts reflects the growing diversity of sporting interests among young players.
Officials from MIDC and KDMC have indicated that groundwork for the first phase will begin shortly. Once complete, the Savlaram Sports City is expected to become one of the largest integrated sports complexes in the Thane district, setting a new benchmark for regional sports infrastructure. For a fast-growing belt like Dombivli, this project could mark the beginning of a new chapter where sports facilities finally match the ambitions of its young athletes.
The project is being seen as a long-awaited investment that can help build a stronger sporting culture in the region and boost opportunities for thousands of aspiring players across Thane’s cities and suburbs.
