Kolkata, November 11: In the wake of the recent car blast in Delhi, security has been tightened at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens ahead of the first Test match between India and South Africa, starting Friday.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma on Tuesday reviewed the security arrangements at the venue to ensure foolproof safety measures for players and spectators.
“We are on high alert. Keeping in mind the blast in Delhi, special and additional security arrangements are being made,” a Kolkata Police officer was quoted as saying by news agency IANS.
The officer further said that Special Task Force (STF) will also be deployed alongside the local police at the stadium.
Meanwhile, authorities in Kolkata have enforced a Tier-4 lockdown protocol, the highest level of non-military security deployment for a sporting event. Over 3,000 police personnel will be stationed in and around the stadium. The inner cordon will cover the ground and dressing rooms, the middle cordon will secure the stands and perimeter, while the outer cordon will include the surrounding roads and parking areas.
Moreover, reports suggest that undercover officers will also be deployed among the crowd, and anti-sabotage teams will be on duty round the clock.
Every spectator will have to pass through at least three layers of security checks, including metal detectors and body screening, before entering the venue.
Notably, 13 people were killed and several others injured after a car explosion near the historic Red Fort Metro Station in the national capital on Monday evening. The powerful blast set multiple vehicles ablaze and shattered nearby window panes, prompting tight security across major Indian cities.
