As the fourth T20 clash between India and Australia is set to unfold today at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium, an unexpected hurdle emerges – parts of the stadium remain without electricity owing to a longstanding unpaid bill since 2009.
The stadium grapples with an outstanding electricity bill amounting to ₹3.16 crore, resulting in the disconnection of power five years ago. Although a temporary connection was arranged upon the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association’s request, it solely caters to the spectators’ gallery and boxes. Consequently, the floodlights crucial for today’s match will rely on generators due to the disconnected power supply.
Raipur Rural Circle in-charge Ashok Khandelwal indicated that the Cricket Association Secretary had applied to enhance the capacity of the temporary connection within the stadium premises.
Presently, the temporary connection operates at 200 KV, but an approved upgrade to 1 thousand KV stands pending without implementation.
In a similar past incident in 2018 during a half-marathon event, participants faced a power outage at the stadium. Investigations then revealed the pending electricity bill since 2009, accumulating to ₹3.16 crore.
Following the stadium’s construction, maintenance was entrusted to the Public Works Department (PWD), while the Sports Department was responsible for additional expenses. Both departments have engaged in mutual blame for the unpaid power bill.
Despite multiple notices from the electricity company to the PWD and Sports Department for payment clearance, the dues remain unsettled.
Since the disconnection in 2018, the stadium has hosted three international cricket matches under alternative power arrangements.
Expressing concern, Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh media coordinator Tarunesh Singh Parihar emphasized apprehensions about hosting international matches, citing potential issues. He highlighted the utilization of generators as a makeshift solution for significant matches.
The impending match between India and Australia is set to proceed amidst the uncertainties surrounding the stadium’s power supply, raising apprehensions among the authorities and organizers alike.
