Jaipur is preparing to organize its first IPL match on April 13 in Sawai Mansingh Stadium. But the ground is still being built, with only 11 days remaining before the match; there are some doubts about its readiness. Yesterday, Tuesday, a team from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) descended on the venue for an inspection, joined by Rajasthan Sports Department Secretary Neeraj Kumar Pawan. What they found was that safety standards are being sidestepped “under the urgent pressure in completing the job.” For a sport-crazy city, this is ominous news for the last stretch ahead of the eagerly-awaited opener.
Pawan was outspoken during his visit. He said that although the local team, Rajasthan Royals, is doing their utmost to prepare the venue, work is not being done in a manner that assures completion by match day. “The renovations definitely are being rushed—work is going on until 3 a.m.—yet a lot more is pending,” he said. The Rajasthan Sports Council, Rajasthan Royals and BCCI officials together inspected to clear the clouds. Instead, it highlighted the uncertainty surrounding the event.
Safety First: No Compromise on Standards
Pawan does not negotiate when it comes to safety. He stated that the ongoing construction, especially seating arrangements, must comply with the strict guidelines set forth by the experts from the Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT). ‘We are doing everything we can to get this done quickly, but it has to be safe and be the best of the best,’ said he. Permission will not be granted even if it is a last-minute call if the work is below par.
Big plans by Rajasthan Royals, including a new pavilion and rooftop stand in the South Stand, came to a halt with pictures of workers being caught without helmets or safety shoes, and this is a red flag for Pawan. “If anything happens, it will be on the head of this construction team,” he declared, adding that he has instructed immediate compliance with safety measures.
There are serious risks. He describes the repair of the South Stand as a demolition of the old players’ pavilion and the establishment of new facilities. Perhaps they are taking the bold route; however, time is no longer their ally, and chances of winning seem to be dim. Royals’ Vice President Rajeev Khanna is confident, alluding to completion by April 6. “We’ve tweaked the design based on MNIT’s input and are keeping a close eye on progress,” he asserted. Hardly enough time to have the entire project checked and cleared.
Crunch Time: Can Jaipur Pull It Off?
The fate of IPL for Jaipur now stands on April 13. The Sawai Mansingh Stadium has been undergoing renovation for months now, but the line is always movable. If the deadline of April 6 goes, then the Rajasthan Sports Council has hinted that the issue of the seating plan for South Stand will again be taken up-a logistical nightmare for the fans as well as the organizers. For now, the spotlight is on the Royals’ set who works day and night in turning a construction zone into a cricket cathedral. Will they do so? Only time will tell, but one thing is sure: in Jaipur, cricket is not just a game-it is a deadline.
