Friday, February 18, 2011

Wankhede fails safety inspection


Mumbai's Wankhede stadium, the venue for World Cup final, failed to meet fire safety standards.

The city's chief fire officer Uday Tatkare claimed his inspectors have found several problems which need to be corrected before the stadium is given the go-ahead to host cricket's global showpiece event on April 2.

But Mumbai Cricket Association joint secretary Lalchand Rajput is confident the required work will be carried out in time.

He told Press Association Sport: "The fire fighting team came and inspected the stadium.

"They have made a few suggestions and we will comply with them."

Kolkata's iconic Eden Gardens has also faced safety issues ahead of the tournament which gets under way on Saturday.

The Group B clash between India and England on February 27 was switched to Bangalore as a result but Rajput calmed fears the Wankhede Stadium could suffer a similar fate.

He added: "We are not concerned about the venue being taken off the World Cup list."

The issue of safety at the venue was raised when Tatkare told the Press Trust of India: "The team has found that the newly renovated stadium has many loopholes in its fire safety mechanism.

"The stadium must be in compliance with the fire safety conditions. We will soon write a letter to the MCA (Mumbai Cricket Association) stating there is a need to comply with fire safety norms at the stadium."

"Once they abide by the terms we would again conduct an inspection."

A Mumbai fire officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed the scale of the problems at the Wankhede Stadium.

He is reported to have told PTI "mandatory fire apparatus" was missing, including fire alarms and extinguishers.

Friday's news will again raise question marks over India's ability to stage major sporting events.

The build-up to October's Commonwealth Games in Delhi was dominated by stories of failed deadlines on stadium construction while several teams delayed their arrivals in India while accommodation and infrastructure was completed.

A footbridge outside the main Nehru Stadium also collapsed 12 days before the event was due to start, injuring 27 people.

That incident was followed by tiles from the wrestling arena's false ceiling falling down and a scoreboard at the stadium for the rugby sevens coming loose.

There have also been doubts about the progress made ahead of the inaugural Indian Grand Prix in Delhi in October.

Asphalt has yet to be laid on the track and work on the circuit's service roads has only just started.

But earlier this week FIA safety delegate Charlie Whiting said things were on schedule. The circuit faces a final inspection on June 30.

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