Karnataka Allows Cricket Matches at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium With Conditions

The Karnataka government has allowed cricket matches to resume at Bengaluru’s M Chinnaswamy Stadium under strict conditions. The decision clears the way for international fixtures and IPL games, provided organisers comply with all safety and security norms. The state had barred the stadium from hosting matches for several months after a stampede broke out outside the venue on June 4 during celebrations of Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s first IPL title. Following the incident, authorities did not permit even closed-door matches.

On Saturday, a senior official from the state home department wrote to the Bengaluru police commissioner granting conditional approval. According to a report by The Times of India, the government has made this clearance contingent on the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) completing all safety, security, and infrastructure upgrades mandated by the state and other agencies.

Also Read: Israel Objects to Trump’s Gaza Peace Board Picks

State grants conditional clearance after safety review

The decision comes ahead of the IPL season beginning on March 26, giving the KSCA limited time to complete the required work. During the ban, Royal Challengers Bengaluru explored alternative venues such as Raipur, Pune, and Navi Mumbai in case matches could not take place in Bengaluru. The KSCA has expressed confidence in meeting all the conditions, saying it has submitted a detailed action plan to an expert review committee and has already begun strengthening safety measures and crowd management.

A senior city official heads the review committee, which the government formed after Justice D Cunha’s report recommended 17 safety improvements. The KSCA said it has started work on most of these recommendations and plans to complete the remaining measures by March 15. The government has not yet decided how many spectators it will allow inside the stadium and will take a final call after the KSCA completes all construction and safety-related work.

Also Read: High-Speed Train Collision in Southern Spain Kills at Least 21