VISAKHAPATNAM : Elaborate arrangements have been made for the success of the fourth One Day International cricket match between India and Sri Lanka teams to be held at the ACA-VDCA Stadium at Pothinamallayyapalem in the city on Saturday.

Informing this to mediapersons here on Tuesday, chairman of the press and publicity committee and vice-chairman of the Visakhapatnam Urban Development Authority (VUDA) G. Venkatram Reddy said the stadium capacity has been increased from 20,000 last year to 27,000 and every seat from denominations of Rs.200 to Rs.3,000 is numbered.

For security reasons, closed circuit TVs have been installed in the stadium. The Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation (GVMC) would provide a water sachet for every seat. Similarly, food arrangements are made during luncheon interval with the stadium divided into four zones and city caterers serving them, he said. Outside food and water bottles are not allowed into the venue due to security reasons.

A layout plan of the stadium with details of every enclosure is given along with the ticket to the spectator who could follow it. The plan would also be published in newspapers a day before the match on Friday, he said.

Mr. Reddy said that the teams would arrive on Thursday and participate in the practice session on Friday. The practice turf is ready. The Police Commissionerate would look after their security from airport to Taj Residency hotel where they will stay. At the stadium, the rural police will take care of the job, he said.

Parking lots

He also said there would be absolutely no parking problems with lot of space available near the stadium close to which were the engineering college and law college premises. There was also an open space opposite the stadium where vehicles could be kept, he added. The RTC was running specials to and from the stadium on the occasion, he added.

He said the sale of tickets in the denominations of Rs.3,000 and Rs.2,000 began on February 9. Other denominations of Rs.1,000, Rs.500 and Rs.200 would begin on Thursday at eSeva centres.

Mr. Reddy said that in accordance with BCCI guidelines, a press box and media cell with ISD, STD, fax and Internet facilities were set up. He appealed to the spectators to be in their seats well in time.

Sanitation

Replying to questions, he said GVMC was deploying additional sanitation staff to keep the stadium clean.

Secretary of Andhra Cricket Association N. Venkata Rao who also spoke said the press box and media cell were being opened on Thursday. On the rain that lashed the city on Tuesday, he said it was very useful as there were plans to water the ground. ACA North Zone secretary P.R. Narayanaswami, VDCA vice-president G.J.J. Raju, and organising committee member Varma were present.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail