Wankhede Stadium unsafe: Activist
By IANSThursday, February 10, 2011
MUMBAI - The safety and security of Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai has been compromised while carrying out its renovation prior to the cricket World Cup, an activist claimed Thursday
Indian Police Service officer-turned-social activist Y.P.Singh said that he has filed a petition on this in the Bombay High Court and the plea is yet to be heard.
“I will not elaborate on the charges as the matter is sub judice. However, several other violations have also come to light now,” he told reporters here.
Singh also said the union environment and forests ministry had given conditional clearance for the Wankhede Stadium project but its stipulation had not been met.
“The condition being that the place has to have four access roads for movement of fire tenders inside the stadium, if required. However, there is only one access road, the other three being only on paper,” he added.
He also alleged that the height of the stadium has been increased from 16 metres to 29 metres, but has no open space.
“The ministry was assured that that a parking space for over 3,000 cars will be made in the stadium premises, but where is the parking space?” he asked.
Singh also alleged that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Indian Premier League (IPL) headquarters stand on a piece of land that was earlier meant for recreational purposes.
