New Delhi: The state of Victoria in Australia has pulled out being a host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, because of the rising expected cost of the event.According to The Times of India, Victorial premier Daniel Andrews said that while initially 2.6 billion Australian dollars had been budgeted for the event, recent estimates showed that the cost had gone up to seven billion Australian dollars. In rupees, that a rise from Rs 14,760 crore to Rs 39,360 crore.Explaining his decision on Twitter, Andrew wrote that it had become clear that hosting the games would bring far more costs than benefits to the state. Instead, he said, his government will spend the budgeted money on increasing infrastructure – both for sports and otherwise, through facilities, housing projects and more.The main reason we agreed to host the Games was to create a big lasting benefit for our regions – with more housing, boosts to tourism and sporting infrastructure upgrades.So here’s what we’re doing instead.— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) July 17, 2023“These projects will create around 3,000 jobs right around the state, and deliver what our regional communities have asked for. It’s the right thing to do,” Andrews wrote.The Commonwealth Games Federation now has to immediately search for a new host. All other Australian states have reportedly said that they are not willing to fill in. Victoria’s decision – and the reason behind it – has also created further conversations on whether these games, arising out of a colonial history, are required anymore.In a statement, the Federation said it is working to locate a new host. “We are taking advice on the options available to us and remain committed to finding a solution for the Games in 2026 that is in the best interest of our athletes and the wider Commonwealth Sport Movement,” it said.This is the second consecutive time that there has been controversy regarding the games’ host. In 2022, Durban, South Africa was stripped of its right to host the games because it had allegedly missed deadlines and failed to live up to the promises made in its bid, and Birmingham was roped in to host the games.While uncertainty grips the future of the games, a report in The Times of India suggests that the Gujarat government may bid to host the 2026 games in Ahmedabad. The report quoted sources in the government as saying that they had already been preparing a bid for the 2030 games, and given Victoria’s last-minute decision, were considering bringing that forward.In 2010, Delhi had hosted the Commonwealth Games.