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New Delhi: As the Ferozeshah Kotla is getting all set to host the high voltage match between Delhi Daredevils and the Mumbai Indians, its first IPL match this season on Wednesday, there seems to be fresh trouble erupting for the Delhi and District Cricket Association.
Adding fuel to the already raging controversies regarding safety norms and the recent pitch fiasco at the Ferozshah Kotla stadium, former Indian cricketer Kirti Azad has now written to Lieutenant Governor Tejender Khanna, demanding that Kotla must not be given approval to host IPL matches until the DDCA comply with the required safety norms.
Azad, in his letter, has pointed out that over time, the DDCA has failed to comply with safety norms required for a no objection certificate to host matches at Kotla and yet, the MCD, "without any regard to safety and to rules of governance," has granted conditional approvals to the DDCA.
Meanwhile, according to sources in MCD, the DDCA has already been granted the 'conditional NOC', keeping in mind the "national interest", thus, allowing them to host the IPL matches at "their own risk."
Risk factor: Even earlier, in December last year, MCD had grudgingly given a go ahead to DDCA at the last moment to host the India-Sri Lanka ODI at the Ferozeshah Kotla on December 27, even though the DDCA did not meet all safety requirements. Even then, the authorities had granted the NOC with the rider that the host association would hold the tie at its "own risk".
According to details mentioned in the letter, the DDCA is yet to be granted a fresh lease for use of the stadium after the Land and Development department cancelled its lease in January 2006 for failing to comply with safety requirements. Besides, the stadium also flouts DUAC conditions and the DDCA also has pending property tax dues.
Over 45,000 spectators are expected to flock the Kotla stadium between March 17 and April 18 to watch the various IPL matches. Kotla is scheduled to host seven matches in the 45-day Indian Premier League.
DDCA president Arun Jaitley, meanwhile, refused to react to the above allegations. He instead said that the DDCA has taken all necessary measures to ensure safety of the spectators and the players.
