Green Park Stadium, Kanpur: Safety Concerns and Preparations Ahead of India-Bangladesh Test
As the second Test match between India and Bangladesh is set to commence on Friday, September 27, at the historic Green Park Stadium in Kanpur, several concerns and preparations have come to the forefront.
Safety Concerns Over C Stand
One of the most pressing issues is the safety of the C stand at Green Park Stadium. An inspection conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) and engineers from Harcourt Butler Technical University in Kanpur has deemed the C stand unsafe for spectators due to structural concerns.
The PWD has advised against filling the stand to its full capacity, warning that the structure may not be able to handle the weight of a full crowd. Specifically, the upper block of the C stand, which can accommodate 4,800 spectators, will only have approximately 1,750 seats available for sale during the Test match.
"We have been told to sell only 1,700 tickets for the stand, which has a capacity of 4,800. The repair work will continue for the next couple of days," said UPCA CEO Ankit Chatterjee, highlighting the immediate actions being taken to address the issue.
Historical and Structural Challenges
Green Park Stadium, built in 1945 and hosting Test matches since 1952, has a rich history but also faces several structural and maintenance challenges. The stadium, owned by the Uttar Pradesh government’s sports department, has seen better days, with issues such as poor visibility due to pollution and inadequate floodlights being persistent problems.
The last time India played a Test at Green Park, against New Zealand in 2021, poor visibility due to pollution and malfunctioning floodlights affected the game significantly. Despite assurances from the venue director that the floodlights are now ready for use, concerns about visibility remain.
Preparations and Assurances
Despite these challenges, the Uttar Pradesh Cricket Association (UPCA) and the venue director, Sanjay Kapoor, have assured that all necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety and comfort of the spectators. Kapoor emphasized that such inspections are routine and that the UPCA has made all efforts to ensure things are under control.
"We have managed to increase the number of seats for the fans by almost 6,000 from the last match. We now have 26,007 seats available for the spectators in this game," Kapoor said, highlighting the efforts to maximize seating capacity despite the restrictions on the C stand.
Additional Challenges and Initiatives
Apart from the structural issues, Green Park Stadium is also dealing with other challenges such as monkey attacks and the need for enhanced security measures. The venue director has assured that langurs have been called in to deal with the monkeys, and other security measures are in place.
The UPCA has also planned several initiatives to make the event special, including inviting families of martyrs from the city and planting saplings in their honor. Additionally, 3,000 school kids from the city have been invited to watch the game over the next five days.
Pitch and Game Expectations
The pitch at Green Park is expected to offer a balanced contest for both pacers and spinners. According to the curator, Shiv Kumar, the pitch will initially favor seamers but will gradually become more suitable for spin bowling as the game progresses.
India, looking to extend their record home run, will face a Bangladesh team that is seeking to level the series. The match promises to be a competitive and exciting encounter, with the spotlight also on local player Kuldeep Yadav and Bangladesh's Shakib Al Hasan.
In conclusion, while Green Park Stadium faces several challenges ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh, the UPCA and the venue authorities are working diligently to ensure a safe and successful event. Despite the safety concerns and structural issues, the historic stadium is set to host another memorable Test match.