IND vs AUS: The fourth T20 international between India and Australia is scheduled for today at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh stadium. However, just hours before this crucial encounter, some parts of the stadium are without electricity.
Yes, you read that right. The reason behind this outage is an outstanding electricity bill that has remained unpaid since 2009.
IND vs AUS – Board Failed To Pay The Outstanding Electricity Bill
The stadium currently has an outstanding bill of ₹3.16 crore, leading to the disconnection of electricity five years ago. A temporary connection has been set up upon the request of the Chhattisgarh State Cricket Association, but it only covers the spectators’ gallery and boxes. Consequently, for today’s match, the floodlights will need to be powered using a generator.
Ashok Khandelwal, in charge of Raipur Rural Circle, mentioned that the Secretary of the Cricket Association has applied to enhance the capacity of the temporary electrical connection for the stadium. Currently, the temporary connection has a capacity of 200 KV. Although an application to upgrade it to 1,000 KV has been granted approval, the work on this enhancement has not commenced.
In 2018, there was a significant outcry when athletes discovered the absence of floodlights at the venue. It was during this time that the information about the unpaid electricity bill became public. Following the construction of the Raipur Stadium, the responsibility for its maintenance was transferred to the Public Works Department (PWD).
The Sports Department was assigned the remaining financial responsibilities. Presently, both departments are engaged in a blame game concerning the unpaid bill. Despite receiving several notices from the electricity board over the years, both departments have ignored these notices. Since the power cut, three matches have taken place in the stadium.
“We can’t comment on the previous dues of the department that the stadium was under prior to CSCS coming in. That connection where dues maybe there was in the name of the relevant government department,” said Jubin Shah, President-CSCS.
