But acid test is for authorities as dengue scare looms large
LUCKNOW/KANPUR: It is alarming, but true, that India and New Zealand may play before nearempty stands at the Green Park Stadium in Kanpur when the first Test between the two sides begins next Thursday.
The reason being a spurt in cases of dengue in the industrial town with 811 people, including 309 police personnel, having tested positive for the vector-borne disease. Interestingly, many among the affected policemen are supposed to ensure security during the Test match.
Additional SP Jitendra Srivastava said a number of inspectors and sub-inspectors were being treated for dengue and chikungunya at private hospitals.
Out of 13,500 tickets earmarked for fans, only 3,000 have been sold out so far. People have reportedly chosen to stay away from the Test match, which is being played here after a gap of almost seven years.
“No fogging has been done in or around the stadium as yet,” an official of the UP Cricket Association told HT on condition of anonymity. The stadium is surrounded by filth, especially waste building material.
During his visit to the venue last week, UPCA secretary Rajiv Shukla had ordered immediate cleaning of the stadium.
“UPCA has already informed the district administration as well as the health department that neither fogging has been conducted nor the stadium has been cleaned so far,” said the official.
“If fans do not turn up for the
OUT OF 13,500 TICKETS EARMARKED FOR FANS, ONLY 3,000 HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT SO FAR. PEOPLE HAVE CHOSEN TO STAY AWAY FROM THE MATCH DUE TO DENGUE SCARE
match, UPCA is planning to give free entry to school and college students,” he said.
“Cleaning and fogging inside the stadium is a must otherwise keeping schoolchildren safe will be a difficult task,” he added.
However, the authorities concerned made it clear that there was no need to panic and all arrangements had been made to prevent the spread of dengue.
Meanwhile, hospitals are receiving nearly 100 patients afflicted by the diseases daily.
According to health department officials, around 2,026 suspected cases of dengue have been reported out of which 769 have tested positive. Of these, 697 are still undergoing treatment in hospitals.
SSP, Kanpur, Shalabh Mathur also confirmed that cops were working under tough conditions due to the spread of viral fever and dengue. “About 300 police personnel are undergoing treatment for viral fever and dengue in Kanpur. These include station incharges and constables,” Mathur told HT.
He, however, said police personnel from other districts would be called to maintain law and order during the match. PAC and central security forces will also be deployed. “Orders for fogging have been given in residential areas for policemen. Kanpur police have even arranged their own fogging machine,” he said. The SSP said the police officials had been asked to keep their homes and nearby areas clean.
Health officials said they were holding meetings to discuss the issue. Kanpur CMO RP Yadav said patients were being treated and efforts were being made to check breeding to mosquito es .“There is no need to panic,” he said.