Congress MP Jairam Ramesh has criticised the government’s decision to establish a NITI Aayog task force to evaluate the feasibility of reviving the Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida, alleging cronyism by the Modi administration.
Ramesh made the allegation in a post on X, stating: “It is no surprise that Niti Aayog has just set up a task force to revive the Formula One Grand Prix at the Buddh International Circuit (BIC) in Greater Noida through financial and other incentives. After all, the BIC and other assets had been taken over from another private company by the Modani conglomerate just a few months back. Every day the Modi Govt plumbs new depths of cronyism. More will be revealed very soon.”
The government has constituted the task force under NITI Aayog to explore reviving Formula One and developing the wider motorsports ecosystem in India. The body will assess taxation issues and other challenges affecting the growth of motorsports, while also examining potential international, economic, tourism and investment benefits of hosting such events.
Additionally, the task force will identify key priorities, infrastructure needs and operational requirements for sustainable development of the sector. It will consider the need for a comprehensive motorsports policy framework and recommend suitable public-private partnership (PPP) models to support growth.
Yugal Kishore Joshi, Programme Director (YAS) at NITI Aayog, chairs the task force. Members include Joint Secretaries from the Department of Sports, Department of Commerce, and Ministry of Tourism; representatives from the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs and Central Board of Direct Taxes; officials from the Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra governments; representatives from Buddh International Circuit and Madras International Circuit; and the President or Secretary General of the Federation of Motor Sports Clubs of India (FMSCI), along with a technical expert nominated by FMSCI. The task force may co-opt additional members as needed.
The initiative comes as the government contemplates reinstating Formula One at the Buddh International Circuit, nearly 13 years after the last Indian Grand Prix was held at the venue. Earlier this year, Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya visited the circuit, signalling official interest in reviving the event.
The Indian Grand Prix took place at the Buddh International Circuit from 2011 to 2013, with Germany’s Sebastian Vettel winning each race for Red Bull Racing. The inaugural race was held on October 30, 2011, as the 17th round of the Formula One season.
Formula One has not returned to the Indian circuit since 2013. India hosted a MotoGP round at the Buddh International Circuit in September 2023, but the event has not been held there since.