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Bhubaneswar: In an effort to avoid duplication, Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) has decided to sell tickets online and introduce bar-code system for the ensuing ODI between India and Australia at Barabati Stadium in Cuttack on October 26.
"For the first time we will introduce bar-code tickets to prevent any manipulation and duplication. Only authentic ticket-holders would be allowed to enter the stadium after thorough checking by police and private security guards," OCA secretary Ashirbad Behera said.
Admitting that there was disorder during the previous ODI between India and West Indies in 2011 at Barabati Stadium, Behera said steps would be taken to prevent its recurrence.Chaos had prevailed during the match as people exceeding the stadium's seating capacity of 45,000 people gained access.
"It would be difficult to maintain law and order and regulate crowd if people beyond the stadium's capacity gain entry," Commissioner of Police R P Sharma said after meeting with OCA representatives here.
Behera said OCA would print 44,455 tickets of which 20,350 will be sold to public. 12,640 tickets will be reserved for members, affiliated units of OCA and Odisha Olympic Association, OCA staff, advertisers and affiliated state units of BCCI, he said adding unsold tickets to be given to public.
Stating that sale of tickets for public would start from October 23, Behera said they have decided to engage Punjab National Bank's Bidanasi branch to sell the tickets.
Each person will be allowed to purchase only two tickets. "OCA will shortly announce the website through which people can book tickets online," he said. Prices of tickets would range between Rs 200 and Rs
10,000. Earlier, the price of ticket for corporate box was Rs 8,000 while it would now cost Rs 10,000.Stating that the players of both the teams would reach the city on October 24, the commissioner of police said: "Safety of players, VVIPs and
spectators would be our top priority". About 150 CCTV cameras would be installed during the ODI this time against only 74 in the last game.
