Feroz Shah Kotla stadium does not fulfil structural or fire safety standards, and yet time and again the Delhi Cricket Association holds international cricket matches by obtaining provisional certificates endangering public safety

From being a gentleman’s game, cricket in India has now become a money spinner, especially for the associations that are mostly controlled by politicians. This sometimes puts the public safety in danger as revealed in a reply received by Subhash Chandra Agrawal under the Right to Information (RTI) Act.

“Delhi & District Cricket Association (DDCA) has been getting provisional certificates to hold cricket matches at this ever-risky (Feroz Shah Kotla Ground) stadium for last so many years where even courts from time-to-time have desired the Association fulfilling all such requirements in a time-bound period. DDCA has been guilty of ignoring directions of the courts in this regard. Significantly, the DDCA president is a prominent leader of the party in power at South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC),” Mr Agrawal alleged.

The authorities of Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), on nine occasions issued provisional occupancy certificates (POCs) to the DDCA for holding cricket matches at the Feroz Shah Kotla ground. “Barring the last four occasions when the POCs were given on the basis of order of the Delhi High Court, all other POCs were issued after receiving the Completion Certificate File dated 14 July 2008 as well as structural safety certificate fire safety certificate and no objection certificate (NoC) from the Assistant Electrical Inspector,” the Central Information Commission (CIC) noted in its order.

The CIC said, “The information provided by the CPIO also reflects the concern of the officials of the MCD regarding the safety aspect and more than once they have recommended that the POC not be issued in the absence of the required documents. The noting also reveals that there is the issue of huge outstanding of property tax from the DDCA (Rs8.67 crore as on 4 January 2013) and also house tax and it was recommended several times on file that on this account also the POC should not be issued.”

Further it has been pointed out by the Assistant Engineer (B) HQ that the Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC) has observed in their letter addressed to Delhi Downtown Development Authority (DDA) with copy marked to the MCD that, “the DDA should not grant the POC, which is in violation of the Building Bye laws (BBLs) and Master Plan provisions. The completion/ Occupancy Certificate should be granted as per BBLs and Master Plan provisions”.

Even the Assistant Engineer (Bldg) Central Zone had noted that there is no provision for issuing provisional occupancy certificate as per Building Bye Laws, 1983.

The Commission said, “It is observed that on at least two occasions, the Deputy Commissioner (City Zone) and the Assistant Engineer (Bldg) have noted that permission may be granted to DDCA to hold international matches at their own risk and cost subject to obtaining NOC from Chief Fire Officer, Delhi and that DDCA shall be required to furnish an undertaking that MCD shall not be liable for any untoward incident during the period.”

Mr Agrawal said, even the Commissioner was surprised by the manner in which public safety was put on stake by the mayor of SDMC in allowing cash-rich DDCA to hold cricket matches on 6 January 2013 and from 22 February 2013 to 26 February 2013 at the Kotla Ground overruling advice of civic-body officers who suggested not allowing use of stadium.

“It is highly irresponsible of SDMC mayor that such undesired permission to DDCA is provided with remarks ‘at risk and responsibility of DDCA’ as if the civic body has no liability and responsibility for any possible casualty by issuing such provisional permissions,” he said.

The RTI activist also demanded an enquiry whether the stadium building is built in violation of norms set for heritage monuments, and if a pillar-shoe is erected in close vicinity of a huge sewer line. He said, in case the DDCA fails to fulfil all requirements including safety and pending dues by end of January 2013, then the provisional permission to DDCA to hold India-Australia cricket match at the Stadium must be withdrawn.