Uppal stadium tightens security for TATA IPL-2024 matches in Hyderabad

HYDERABAD: The 17th Edition of TATA IPL-2024 will feature its first schedule cricket matches on March 27, 2024, and April 5, 2024, both night matches, at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal, Hyderabad.

Approximately 2,800 police personnel are deployed for security at Uppal Stadium, which boasts an approximate seating capacity of 39,000.

To ensure a smooth run of the TATA IPL-2024 cricket matches and prevent any untoward incidents, unprecedented measures have been implemented at Uppal Cricket Stadium.

Elaborate security arrangements are being coordinated with various wings, including the security wing, traffic-300, law and order (918), TSSP/AR force (12 platoons), Octopus (2 teams), Mounted Police (10), Vajra (10), as well as other units such as SB, CCS staff, SOT, and four fire tenders with firefighting squads, to guarantee the safety and security of players and spectators.

Gate No.1 is reserved exclusively for players; others are not permitted. Spectators may enter through designated gates according to their ticketing, with an evacuation plan prepared for any emergency situation.

A total of 360 CCTV cameras are being installed in and around the stadium, including at vehicle checkpoints and parking areas, to cover the entire stadium premises, routes, and parking areas.

A Joint Command & Control Room has been established to monitor all CCTV footage for immediate action, manned by IT Inspectors and teams. Anti-sabotage checks, conducted by B.D. teams, will continue round the clock until the matches conclude.

An effective communication system is being maintained, with VHF sets allocated to every Sub-Inspector and above rank for quick response. Additionally, a control room has been installed. Furthermore, scanners installed at the stadium will enable police and other security personnel to detect explosives and other prohibited materials inside the venue.

To ensure safety in the stadium and parking areas, the services of bomb disposal teams and sniffer dogs have been deployed. Additionally, separate teams are being deployed to monitor the movements of antisocial elements.

Three mobile technicians will be deployed to check spectators' mobile phones at each gate. Additional security arrangements have been made round the clock in and around the stadium with Octopus and NGS teams. Mounted police forces have been deployed at gates 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8 to ensure effective security.

The spectators are not allowed to carry the things as follows

• The following items are prohibited inside the stadium: laptops, banners, water bottles, cameras, cigarettes, electronic items, matchboxes, lighters, sharp metal/plastic objects, binoculars, writing pens, batteries, helmets, perfumes, bags, and outside eatables.
• A separate SHE Teams/Anti-Eve-Teasing team has been established to prevent eve-teasing and ensure the safety of all attendees.
• Dedicated vendor supervising teams have been established to oversee vendors and ensure compliance with rates prescribed by the authorities.
• Dedicated supervising teams have been established in and around the stadium to monitor the movement of all police officers and personnel.
• The antecedents of personnel engaged by sponsors/vendors for this match are thoroughly checked, and passes with photos are issued to them.
• Exchange of accreditation cards is strictly prohibited, and replacement of personnel is not allowed. Cases will be booked against any attempt to change passes.
• Adequate signage boards have been erected at various locations to guide viewers to the stadium easily.
• Viewers are not permitted to park any vehicles on either side of the main road from Genpact to Uppal Ring Road and Uppal Ring Road to Vishal Mart, Ramanthapur. Vehicles must be parked only in prescribed TSIIC parking areas.
• Gates will open and spectators will be allowed into the stadium three hours before the scheduled match.
• To accommodate the expected number of spectators, the number of ambulances has been increased from 3 to 5 to provide immediate medical services.
• To enhance public safety, four fire engines will be stationed to mitigate any fire incidents.
• Vendors and hawkers are prohibited from operating outside the stadium. Special teams will be deployed to monitor and intercept the sale of black tickets.
• The HCA//SRH authorities have installed ample signage boards along all major roads from Habsiguda to Uppal, L.B. Nagar to Uppal, Medipally to Uppal, and Ramanthapur to the Stadium, marked with proper arrow signs for easy navigation.

Parking lots

• With approximate estimates, adequate parking spaces for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers have been identified, and arrangements have been made to ensure the free flow of traffic during match days.
• Car pass holders for outer gates 1 & 2 should enter from the Ramanthapur side (LG Godown/Modern Bakery) and park their vehicles in parking slots A & B inside the stadium.
• Physically challenged viewers with passes are advised to enter from Ramantapur road and access the stadium through outer gate No-3 (Service entry) after parking their vehicles in Parking slot B.
• Viewers holding passes for entry through gates G-4 to G-10 should enter the stadium from Habsiguda-Uppal main road (via Ek-Minar) and park their vehicles at the IALA parking place.
• During match timings, heavy goods vehicles from LB Nagar and Warangal routes will not be allowed towards Habsiguda. They will be diverted according to the instructions of the DCP-Traffic.
• Heavy goods vehicles travelling from ECIL, Kushaiguda, and Cherlapally towards Uppal X roads will be diverted via Mallapur bridge, Chengicherla X (Warangal route), and LB Nagar junctions. These restrictions will be enforced on the match day.