Barabati ODI: Security for teams beefed up in twin city

Bhubaneswar/Cuttack: The Commissionerate Police have made elaborate security arrangements for the players of India and England who will arrive in the capital city tomorrow to play the second one day international match at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on January 19.

A mock drill was held today from the Biju Patnaik International Airport to Hotel Mayfair where the 87 rooms have been booked for both the teams.

“We have made specific security arrangements for the two teams right from their arrival at the city airport up to Hotel Mayfair and from Hotel Mayfair to Barabati Stadium for their practice session on January 18 followed by the one day international the next day. To ensure non-stop movement of the team in the bus, traffic will be regulated accordingly. There will be a police carcade line which will escort the teams in the right and left flank. Besides, there will be a pilot vehicle in front of the bus while a police vehicle would be on the rear side of the bus during the visit of the team from Bhubaneswar to Cuttack and vice versa. If any player wants to come out of the bus, he has to inform the escort team,” Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi told media persons here.

He said for route lining, traffic and escort, 20 platoons of armed police force would be deployed.

Talking to the media after taking stock of security arrangements in Barabati Stadium later in the day, Police Commissioner YB Khurania said 63 platoons of police force have been deployed in and outside the stadium. Besides, arrangements for frequent patrolling and checking in all roads leading to Barabati stadium have been made. Apart from this, police officers and force have been deployed in the inner and outer perimeter of the stadium. “For the first time, CCTV cameras have been installed inside the stadium through which we will be able to keep a close watch on the spectators,” he added.

The Police Commissioner also requested the spectators to ensure that the match should be conducted smoothly. “It is a pride for Odisha that an international match has been allotted. Taking this into consideration, the spectators should thoroughly enjoy the match and refrain from creating disturbance during the match,” Khurania said.

Meanwhile, the pitch, on which the match would be played, is ready. Asked about the condition of the pitch, chief curator Pankaj Patnaik said Barabati stadium always has a sporting pitch favouring the batsmen and the bowlers. The team playing better will win the match.

Asked about the dew factor, Patnaik said “As we are aware that there would be dew in the evening, we have made specific arrangements. To mining the dew effect, the grass in the ground has been shortened. Besides, we will apply super soaker every hour and spray anti-dew solutions on the grass to minimise the dew logging.

Meanwhile, sale of tickets to public which had begun at the three counters of Barabati Stadium yesterday, was ended today.

Out of 15,444 tickets, 12,714 tickets were sold yesterday while the remaining 2730 tickets were sold out today.