 |
| The Sri Lankan team arrives at a hotel in Bhubaneswar on Friday afternoon. |
Cuttack/Bhubaneswar, Oct. 31: For 27-year-old Rehan Raja Khan, it was an experience of a lifetime. Watching his favourite stars practise in front of him at the Barabati stadium, the experience left him star struck.
Khan was among the lucky few to watch the Indian players practise at the stadium today.
“I consider myself fortunate to have got the opportunity to watch the team practise at Barabati. There is a genuine bonhomie among the players and that makes it a great team,” said the visibly excited cricket enthusiast from Cuttack.
Like Khan, fellow spectator Ansuman Sahu had come to watch his favourite player Virat Kohli. “I saw him giving autographs to a few ball boys,” said Sahu.
However, amid all the excitement, poor response to ticket sale remains a cause for concern for the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA).
 |
| Security check under way at Barabati stadium. Pictures by Sanjib Mukherjee and Badrika Nath Das |
Official sources said a little over 4,000 tickets were sold from three counters at Barabati stadium today. Officials of the state cricket association said that so far over 21,000 tickets, including 12,640 for various affiliated units of the state association and the BCCI, had been sold.
“We are hopeful that all the 22,000 tickets meant for public would be sold before the match by November 1 and the turnout will be good on Sunday,” said Satya Mohanty, OCA treasurer.
Officials of the OCA expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements for spectators and guests.
Over 60 platoons of police personnel will be deployed in and around the stadium while three quick reaction teams, a counter terrorist squad and a contingent of special operation group will also be on duty.
The OCA has also installed over 65 closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras in and around the stadium.
However, the entry to the stadium has already been restricted from today.
Apart from this, the police will also clamp temporary restriction on the movement of vehicles on major roads connecting Barabati stadium on Sunday. Though there is no specific intelligence input about any untoward incident, the police have started checking hotels and lodges in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.
“Except for the guests and the staff, no other person will be allowed into the hotel without valid passes,” said a police official.
Assistant commissioner of police (traffic) P.K. Dalai said nearly 40 officers, 100 constables, 50 homeguards and nearly four platoons of police personnel will be deployed to regulate vehicular traffic on Sunday near Barabati stadium.
Around 10 parking lots have been earmarked at multiple locations for convenience of the spectators. There will be at least four separate parking provisions for vehicles belonging to the players, BCCI officials, VVIPs and others.
According to the plan, all the vehicles of spectators will be diverted towards the new Bali yatra ground (Mahanadi river bed side) from Mata Matha, Ring Road.
Vehicles on their way from Howrah Motors to Barabati will be diverted near the official residence of the chief justice of the high court. And those coming from Bidanasi, Biju Patnaik Chhak will be allowed to park near Anand Bhavan. Vehicles coming from Buxi Bazar, YMCA, Nari Seva Sadan road will not be allowed to move towards the stadium.
CELEBS AND FANS, ALL PERCHED ON THE EDGE OF THEIR SEATS
 |
 |
 |