Buddh International Circuit To Be Used As A Quarantine Facility

While the long-term fate of India’s one and only Formula One track, the Buddh International Circuit (BIC), is still unknown, there is finally a short-term solution for the venue, albeit not for the reasons you think. Officials of the Gautam Budh Nagar administration have decided to use the venue as a quarantine facility for stranded migrants affected by the coronavirus crisis.

Aside from this, 20 buildings around the Jaypee Sports City complex, which the Buddh International Circuit is a part of, will also be turned into shelter homes to house people leaving Delhi-NCR due to the COVID-19 situation. The decision was taken as per provisions under Chapter 12 of the Uttar Pradesh pandemic COVID-19 guidelines, 2020. The aim is to keep people at the facility till  14 April 2020, the day the nationwide lockdown period is slated to end.

 

The Buddh International Circuit played host to India’s first-ever Formula One Grand Prix in 2011, lasting till 2013. While Formula One hasn’t returned since then, national-level competitions like the JK Tyre National Racing Championship have been taking place at the circuit. The venue also played host to the inaugural race of the X1 Racing League. However, since its developers, Jaypee Infratech Limited, have struggled to clear its financial dues for the land, an order to seal the track was issued a month ago. However, events have continued to run at the circuit since then.  

The global outbreak of coronavirus has caused countries all over the world to enforce lockdowns in order to prevent further spread of the virus. Back home, the Indian government has imposed a 21-day lockdown, causing many day-to-day activities to come to a grinding halt. Cases are steadily rising with over 1,071 already infected and 29 dead. Expect lockdowns to be extended worldwide until the situation is brought under control.

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