Hyderabad is getting ready to host the 18th edition of the TATA IPL 2025 cricket matches. The city police are making security arrangements to ensure the safety of players and spectators. The matches will take place at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, which comes under the Rachakonda Police Commissionerate.
The matches are scheduled for March 23 and 27, April 6, 12, and 23, as well as May 5 and 10. The playoffs will be held on May 20 and 21. The stadium has a seating capacity of 39,000, and special security measures are being put in place to prevent any untoward incidents during the matches.
To ensure the safety of everyone, a total of 2,700 police personnel will be deployed. This includes officers from security, traffic, law and order, TSSP/AR force, Octopus teams, and Mounted Police. Additionally, Vajra vehicles, CCS staff, SOT teams, and fire tenders with firefighting squads will also be present.
According to Rachakonda Police Commissioner G. Sudheer Babu, Gate No.1 will be exclusively reserved for players and VVIPs. Spectators will enter through different gates based on their tickets. An evacuation plan is also in place in case of emergencies.
For better monitoring, 450 CCTV cameras are being installed around the stadium, including in parking areas and vehicle check points. A joint command and control room has been set up to keep an eye on the live footage and respond quickly if needed.
Security scanners have been installed at the stadium entrance to detect explosives and other banned items. A bomb disposal squad and sniffer dogs will also be on duty to check the stadium and parking areas for any threats.
Additional security arrangements have been made around the stadium, with Octopus and NGS teams deployed at key gates like 1, 3, 4, 7, and 8. A separate SHE Team and Anti-Eve-Teasing unit has also been formed to prevent harassment during the matches.
Spectators will be allowed to enter the stadium three hours before the match starts. There are 13 outer gates in total, and special security measures have been taken for each gate. Five patrolling teams will manage the crowd, and four fire engines will be on standby in case of fire emergencies.
To maintain safety, certain items are strictly banned inside the stadium. These include laptops, banners, water bottles, cameras, cigarettes, umbrellas, electronic devices, matchboxes, lighters, sharp metal or plastic objects, binoculars, writing pens, batteries, helmets, perfumes, and outside food.
With all these arrangements, the police are ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone attending the IPL matches in Hyderabad.
