Green Park Stadium's stand deemed unsafe ahead of India-Bangladesh Test
What's the story
The upcoming 2nd Test between India and Bangladesh at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium has hit a snag.
The Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has declared one of the stands, Balcony C, as potentially hazardous due to structural concerns.
This development comes just three days before the scheduled match.
The authorities fear that the stand may not withstand a full crowd during the game, potentially leading to a collapse.
Capacity reduction
Ticket sales for Balcony C stand limited
In response to the safety concerns raised by the PWD, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) has decided to limit ticket sales for the Balcony C stand.
UPCA CEO Ankit Chatterjee confirmed that only 1,700 tickets will be sold for this stand, which can accommodate up to 4,800 spectators.
The decision was made after a team of engineers spent six hours inspecting the stand on Tuesday and advised against its full utilization during Friday's match.
Maintenance issues
Green Park Stadium's maintenance challenges and floodlight concerns
The Green Park Stadium, owned by the Uttar Pradesh government's sports department, has seen limited international cricket in recent years due to the newer Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Chatterjee stated that the UPCA is not directly responsible for this stadium but has a 40-day window before a match to prepare it.
He also expressed concerns about the stadium's floodlights, which could pose problems if bad light affects play during the match.
Security preparations
Security measures in place for India-Bangladesh Test
Despite the structural and lighting issues at Green Park Stadium, security arrangements for the India-Bangladesh second Test match have been finalized.
Authorities are working with federal and state agencies to ensure safety after a protest by Akhilesh Bhartiya Hindu Mahasabha members.
A comprehensive security plan has been developed, dividing the stadium and Hotel Landmark into sectors, zones, and sub-zones under the supervision of DCP-level officials.