Bengaluru's Chinnaswamy Stadium Power Cut Over Fire Safety Lapses
The electricity supply to Bengaluru's M. Chinnaswamy Stadium has been disconnected due to persistent fire safety violations by the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA). The action by the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) follows increased scrutiny after a deadly stampede near the stadium in June. Despite multiple notices, the KSCA failed to obtain a mandatory No Objection Certificate from the Fire Department. The Karnataka High Court backed the move, stating safety cannot be compromised and power will remain cut until compliance.
Unpacked:
The KSCA failed to comply with a May 2023 fire safety advisory, including not obtaining a mandatory No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Fire Department. Persistent non-compliance with fire safety protocols, despite multiple notices, led to the power cut at the stadium.
A deadly stampede near M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in June heightened concerns about crowd safety and emergency preparedness, prompting authorities to enforce stricter fire safety regulations and review compliance at the venue.
The Karnataka High Court has firmly backed the electricity disconnection, emphasizing that safety cannot be compromised. The court rejected KSCA's plea for leniency, maintaining a 'zero tolerance' stance and stating power will remain disconnected until all fire safety norms are met.
If the power outage continues, the stadium will be unable to host matches, events, or routine operations. This could lead to postponements, cancellations, financial losses, and reputational damage for the KSCA until compliance is achieved and electricity is restored.