In a bid to enhance security during the coming IPL matches in Kolkata from the middle of this month, the West Bengal government on Saturday announced its decision to use generators to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the match at the Eden Gardens stadium.
Briefing reporters at the Secretariat on Saturday, Chief Secretary Ashok Mohan Chakraborty said: “There were a lot of disruptions in the past, the suggestions are being followed” He added that generators would now power the match with the city-based power utility CESC Ltd providing the back-up.
Mr. Chakraborty also said that a national-level agency had been selected to maintain the four towers that light up the night-time matches.
CESC had said that there was no problem with their supply but they were not responsible for the maintenance of the towers.
“Not taking chances”
The State government officials said that the government was not prepared to take any chances given the threat perceptions and especially in view of the blackout at one of the four floodlight towers at the Eden Gardens during the India-Sri Lanka one-day international match in December. It had delayed the match by 23 minutes but had more importantly raised security concerns.
Officials said that the city police would maintain a strict vigil inside and outside the stadium during the IPL matches.
