Following the Supreme Court order on Tuesday pertaining to the de-sealing of renovated I,J and K stands in M.A.Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, the Chennai Corporation is keeping its fingers crossed. The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association to use the stands only after getting “planning permission from appropriate authorities.”
Matches to be held
Meanwhile, the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association said IPL matches would be held as per schedule without spectators in the three stands.
Following the order, the Corporation is left with the following scenarios: in case the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association fails to get “valid permission from appropriate authorities,” the Corporation will continue to keep the stands sealed. In case permission is granted to demolish the renovated I, J, K stands, the Corporation will have to take a decision on the plan to demolish the building safely without bothering residents in the neighbourhood.
“We will not de-seal the stands during any cricket match to be held in the stadium in future. Yet, the match can be held in the stadium without using the sealed I,J and K stands,” said an official of Chennai Corporation.
This opens up the possibility of an IPL match in Chennai.
The stands will be used only if the State government’s Housing and Urban Development Department decides to issue planning permission.
The Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority is empowered to issue planning permission based on clearance by Multi Storied Building Panel comprising representatives from agencies such as Fire and Rescue Services and the Traffic Police. Chennai Corporation will issue building approval after issuance of planning permission from the CMDA.
K.S. Viswanathan, secretary, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA), told The Hindu , “The TNCA, along with the MCC, has already given an undertaking to the CMDA that the 12 meters of the gym at the MCC would be demolished for the setback space. We are prepared for this.”
He said, “The I, J and K stands can seat around 12,000 spectators. But we are happy that fans will be able to watch IPL matches in Chennai this year.”
