Trying to armtwist the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), BBMP corporators have reportedly asked for 400 tickets in 'good' stands for the IPL matches to be held at the Chinnaswamy stadium.
The City Fathers are unhappy over the 'quality' and 'quantity' of seats provided the last time by KSCA and the owners of the Royal Challengers, Bangalore team.
During the previous season, the BBMP corporators were given 250 tickets by KSCA as a complimentary package on account of the Palike being a stakeholder in the land which has been leased out to the Cricket Association.
Tussle likely
Sources said that the demand, if not met, will give rise to yet another tussle between the corporators and the KSCA over the stadium ownership.
"It appears that as a threat, the corporators have said that either they are given 400 'good' seats or none at all," said a Palike official. They have thus issued a veiled threat to the organisers.
Security for IPL matches
Police have taken elaborate measures to provide security to the IPL matches to be played in the City, in view of the past disturbances and the security issues of cricketers.
Nine matches of the IPL 5 tourney will be played in Bangalore.
Sunil Kumar, Additional Commissioner Law and Order, said that in total 1,600 personnel would be deployed.
The first match is scheduled to be held on Saturday. As many as three Deputy Commissioners of Police, 21 Assistant Commissioners of Police, 40 inspectors and nine sub inspectors, 800 plain clothesmen, a bomb disposal squad and Karnataka State Reserve Police platoons will be deployed for security, Sunil Kumar added.
More BMTC buses for IPL matches
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will provide additional bus services on April 7 and 10 to facilitate spectators of IPL matches at Chinnaswamy Stadium.
The buses are scheduled to enable spectators to arrive at the stadium at 4 pm.
Also, to enable cricket enthusiasts to return home safely, the BMTC will provide bus services from MG Road to various parts of the City.
Twelve Big 10 buses will be deployed: G1 will start from Manekshaw Parade Grounds and end at Kadugodi bus station. G2 will start from Mayo Hall and end at Sarjapur.
G3 will start from Brigade Road and end at Electronic city. G4 will start from Brigade Road and end at Bannerghatta National Park.
G5 will start from Chinnaswamy Stadium and end at Kaggalipura. G6 will start from Chinnaswamy Stadium and end at Kengeri Satellite town. G7 will start from BRV Parade Ground and end at Janapriya Township.
G8 will start from Manekshaw Parade grounds and Nelamangala. G9 will start from Manekshaw Parade Grounds and Yelahanka Satellite Town.
G10 will start from BRV Parade Ground and end at RK Hegde Nagar. G11 will start from BRV Parade Ground and end at Bagalur. G12 will start from Chinnaswamy Stadium and end at Hoskote.
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