Police commissioner RP Sharma and DCP, Cuttack, Sanjeev Arora and DCP, Bhubaneswar, Satyabrata Bhoi review security arrangements at Barabati stadium on Thursday. Picture by Badrika Nath Das

Cuttack, Oct. 16: Tight security will be in place for the first T20 international cricket match between India and West Indies at the Barabati stadium on October 22.

Over 70 platoons of armed police would be deployed for the security of players and the spectators, police commissioner R.P. Sharma, said after reviewing the arrangements today.

Out of the 70 platoons, 60 platoons will be deployed at the stadium during the match for security as well as crowd management.

Three units of quick reaction team, one unit of counter terrorist squad and one contingent of the special operation group would also be pressed into service.

After inspection of the stadium today, police have also urged the officials of state cricket association to install closed circuit television cameras at vital locations.

“Elaborate security measures are being made for the T20 international match at Barabati stadium. Right from the time the players arrive at the Biju Patnaik international airport, there will be stringent security cover. Their will be tight security at the Mayfair Hotel in Bhubaneswar, where the players will be lodged,” said Sharma.

Sharma said that the scale of security arrangements would be elaborate and similar to the Indian Premier League (IPL) matches that were held at the Barabati stadium.

“We have also requested the organisers to inform in advance regarding the movement of players. Special focus would be given on the security of star cricketers of both the teams,” Sharma said.

Officials of the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) said that closed circuit television cameras would be installed at the parking lot, the entry and exit gates, galleries and prominent places in and around the stadium.

“The sale of tickets from counters will start from October 19,” said Satya Mohanty, OCA treasurer. He said that nearly 20,000 tickets would be sold from three counters at the Barabati stadium, while 12,000 tickets have been reserved for the BCCI, the VIPs and other state-affiliated units.

Already 3,500 tickets have been sold online out of the total quota of 7,000 tickets and the remaining tickets would be sold at the counters, an OCA official said.