BENGALURU: Another season of hope has begun for Royal Challengers Bangalore bhakts. Cricket being a game of glorious uncertainty, nobody can guarantee if RCB fans will smile at the end of season. But what is guaranteed is the strident roars of spectators at Chinnaswamy Stadium and some measures by the city administration to manage crowds at the venue and outside.
As the city will host IPL matches of the summer from Saturday, the police have made elaborate security arrangements at the stadium while Namma Metro will work overtime to help spectators.
It has extended train timings on the Purple Line on eight match days in April and May. RCB will take on Delhi Daredevils on Saturday.
According to an official press release, train services will be extended between Mysore Road and Baiyappanahalli from 10 pm to 00.30 am, with a train running every 20 minutes during the extended hours on April 8, April 16, April 25, April 27, May 5, May 7, May 17 and May 19.
On security front, a senior police officer said more than 1,100 personnel including reserve police force, D-SWAT teams and bomb detection and disposal squads have been deployed at the venue.
The police have advised the public to use special services of BMTC and Metro to lessen congestion on the roads, even as parking arrangements for public vehicles are made at St Mark’s Church and St Joseph’s Indian High School.
Apart from weapons and inflammable materials, spectators will also be not allowed to carry laptops, cameras, food, beverages, water bottles, backpacks and helmets into the stadium.