Kotla finally cleared to host WT20 matches
ACCORDING TO SENIOR OFFICIALS, WHILE THE DDCA HAD MET ALL THE CONDITIONS, THE CERTIFICATE WAS AWARDED AFTER AN SDMC SURVEY
NEW DELHI : The Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) has finally received completion certificate from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC), allowing it to host the World T20 matches at the Ferozeshah Kotla.
The Kotla was doubtful as a venue after it struggled to get clearances from the SDMC and the Land and Development Office (L&DO). It had paid the dues to L&DO.
The municipal corporation’s permissions were outstanding but DDCA managed to settle the matter out of court last month, leaving just the formalities to be completed for the issuance of the completion certificate.
FIXING ANOMALIES
The SDMC had on February 8 decided to issue a conditional occupancy certificate to DDCA to conduct T20 matches at Ferozeshah Kotla ahead of the World Cup, subject to rectification of 60 anomalies pointed by the civic body within 20 days. According to senior officials, while the DDCA had met all the conditions, the completion certificate was awarded after an internal survey by SDMC.
“The DDCA has completed the work on all the 60 points raised by the corporation. After the completion, the SDMC had asked the DDCA to obtain NOC from Delhi Urban Arts Committee, which they submitted today and were given the completion certificate. They no longer require any more permissions from the SDMC,” said Radhe Shyam Sharma, chairman of the committee.
WORKERS’ STRIKE
The DDCA has also been facing an employees’ strike over the past three days. DDCA vicepresident Chetan Chauhan said, “We have received the occupancy/completion certificate. As far as the workers’ strike is concerned, we have an alternate plan which we’ll reveal tomorrow (Tuesday).”
In a press conference in the Capital on Monday, BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur said the matches will be held at the Kotla, expressing confidence that all formalities will be completed and every problem sorted out. Delhi is due to stage four men’s matches, including a semifinal on March 30.