Venkatesh Prasad, head of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), stated on Tuesday that he is certain that the M Chinnaswamy Stadium’s security improvements will be finished before the Royal Challengers Bengaluru team gathers there on March 15.
After months of uncertainty, the Royal Challengers had already declared that they would play five league games, including the first IPL 2026 match, at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
“Yes, there is some bit of work still left and as far as we are concerned, it is going to be delivered within the timelines that we have given the (state appointed) expert committee headed by Mr. Maheshwar Rao,” PTI quoted Prasad telling reporters.
“We have satisfied them to the best extent possible. They have repeated meetings here. They have come, even yesterday morning, to assess the works. The RCB is likely to assemble here on March 15, and the ticketed Unbox event will happen here a week ahead of the IPL’s opening match,” he added.
According to Santosh Menon, secretary of the KSCA, the organization has notified the expert committee of the security enhancing actions it has taken thus far.
“We have some new ideas to ensure that we regulate the crowd a little more efficiently. We have increased the number of gates, as we have built 13 new gates, measuring 9m width as against 6m instructed by the expert committee to ensure smooth flow of the spectators,” Menon said.
“Safety of the spectators is uppermost in our minds. We are going to ensure that we communicate to each and every spectator in the best way possible about all these measures. We urge the fans to use public transport, especially through the metro rail, which has got a lot of connectivity now. The holding area near the KSCA ‘B’ ground too is taking shape fast,” he added.
“Since the repair works will happen outside, it will not impede the team’s training and other activities inside such as entering the stadium and access to pavilion and dressing room etc,” he added.
According to Menon, the RCB has promised to provide free metro rides to ticket holders in collaboration with BMRCL.
“RCB has been kind enough to ensure that they give free metro rides to all ticket holders. They will be announcing it shortly from their side. They are also looking to have better public transport with the BMTC,” he noted.
Menon stated that in order to manage the crowd at the gates, which will now open at least three to four hours prior to the game, measures have been implemented to guarantee separate lines for women and children on match days.
“See, as per the stadium agreement, there is something called a stadium agreement. Tripartite stadium agreement between BCCI, the stadium association and the franchisee. So as per that, we have to hand over the stadium and some of the responsibilities are ours.
“For example, the pitch, the practice wickets, the lights come under our responsibility. So the gate control security and ticketing are RCB’s and Law and Order outside the stadium is with the police,” he added.
