Guwahati, Oct. 6: Safety first will be the mantra for the Kamrup (metro) district administration while assisting the Assam Cricket Association (ACA) in hosting the first international cricket match at the newly built Barsapara stadium here on Tuesday.

Kamrup (metro) deputy commissioner M. Angamuthu, who inspected the stadium and approach roads to its six gates today, directed the civic authorities, including the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC) and the public works department (PWD), to extend all necessary support to the ACA in hosting the T20 international between India and Australia smoothly.

He suggested several safety measures to the PWD and GMC in view of the narrow approach roads to the stadium which are either in a dilapidated condition or are under construction.

'Public safety and convenience are our primary objectives. In view of our chief minister's initiative to make Guwahati the sports capital of the country, we cannot afford to compromise on any aspect that could have an adverse impact in the long run.

'It's a beautiful stadium with all available facilities. We need to ensure that the players and spectators don't face any inconvenience while enjoying the match. I have directed all the departments concerned to extend full support to the ACA for smooth conduct of the match,' Angamuthu said. He instructed the PWD to complete all construction within the next couple of days and barricade the hazardous areas, including covering open drains. Angamuthu instructed the department to repair all potholes along the Lokhra-Sarab Bhatti road and Gorchuk-Fatasil Ambari road and make the speed-breakers less bumpy.

He also instructed the GMC to clear roads of all construction materials immediately and clean up all roads, drains and waterbodies adjoining the stadium. The GMC was also asked to install more streetlights on the darker stretches of the approach roads and beautify all roads and streets around the stadium. Angamuthu also directed the dismantling of a traffic point on Dhirenpara-Lokhra road, which is an approach road to the stadium, because it causes inconvenience in the movement of heavy vehicles. The teams will land here on Saturday and travel to the stadium on Tuesday by buses from the hotel.

About entry to the stadium, ACA vice-president and spokesman Devajit Saikia said there will be six gates which can be accessed by spectators coming from Dhirenpara Road, Rolling Mill Road and Bhupen Hazarika Path. 'The main gate will be exclusively for players and VVIP entry,' he said.

Thanking the administration for its support, ACA secretary Pradip Buragohain said: 'We are hopeful of a smooth and successful match-day experience with cooperation from all quarters.'

He said the stadium will be officially inaugurated by Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday.