Countdown for Babarati ODI begins

Cuttack: Countdown for the much-awaited One Day International match between India and England scheduled at Barabati Stadium in the Millennium city on January 19 has begun.

Talking about the preparations for the match, chief executive officer (CEO) of the Odisha Cricket Association, Bidyut Kumar Nayak said the ground has been made ready for net practice and the match.

“Besides, numbering of seats in the galleries has been completed while arrangements have been made for sale of tickets in the stadium counters. We have completed barricading in and outside the stadium,” Nayak added.

Asked about steps taken by the OCA on sale of tickets through cashless transaction, he said sale of tickets to affiliated members and associate members and staff of OCA would be made through cashless transaction at the OCA Conference Hall on January 14 and 15.

“In fact the cashless transaction would be made with amount exceeding Rs 2000. Those who will purchase two tickets for the galleries will pay in cash while those purchasing of a ticket for Special Enclosure (Rs 3000), New Pavilion (Rs 5000), AC Box in Gallery No-4 (Rs 5000) and Corporate Box (Rs 8000) will have to pay cash either through bank draft or debit card,” Nayak added.

He also informed that to keep watch on unruly elements, CCTV cameras have been installed at different places inside the stadium. “There has been regular review on security measures during the match.  While the city DCP had a review meeting in this connection yesterday, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), Central, AB Ota and Cuttack Collector Nirmal Chandra Mishra visited the stadium to oversee the ongoing works for the ensuing match,” Nayak said.

Briefing media persons after visiting the stadium, the RDC said he had visited to the stadium to oversee the ongoing works in the stadium. “The preparations for the match are in the final stage and the remaining works will be completed much before the commencement of the match,” he noted.

Talking about the steps taken to prevent the spectators from throwing any objects at the ground, Ota said OCA has taken specific measures in this regard.

Asked whether the district administration has got more responsibility in the conduct of the match following the dissolution of OCA Managing Committee as per the directive of the Supreme Court, he said neither the district administration nor the OCA can accomplish this task alone. “The district administration and the OCA would work in tandem for successful conduct of the match,” he observed.

“Our prime responsibility is to ensure smooth traffic and crowd management. Since the match would be a day and night affair, steps are being taken to ensure smooth flow of traffic. We will also ensure that there would be no power failure in the stadium during the match. After all, it is a matter of pride for the state that an international match will be played at Barabati Stadium. Keeping this in mind, we will try our best to take all possible measures to ensure that the match would be successfully conducted, ” said the Cuttack collector.

Sources said Police Commissioner YB Khurania and senior police officials will visit the stadium tomorrow to take stock of the security measures.