On Sunday morning, the Chennai Corporation sealed three stands at M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, ahead of Tuesday’s IPL match — the last to be played in the city this season.
These stands are yet to get planning permission and building approval but had been open to spectators during the ongoing tournament.
Officials of the Teynampet zone of the civic body visited the stadium at 9.15 a.m. and sealed I, J and K stands, which can hold over 12,000 spectators.
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The move follows a stay issued on Friday by the Supreme Court on operation of an order passed on February 6 this year by the Madras High Court.
The HC had set aside orders of the Tamil Nadu housing and urban development department, Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority, the Chennai Corporation and the additional commissioner of police, in 2011 and 2012.
These orders had restrained the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) from using the reconstructed stands in the stadium.
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According to a TNCA official, over 12,000 spectators who had booked tickets were likely to be denied entry on Tuesday because of the sealing. TNCA plans to appeal against the SC order to ensure fans get an opportunity to watch the IPL match between Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Daredevils on Tuesday.
The modernisation of the 40-year-old structure was carried out to fulfil International Cricket Council requirements.