The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru faced a major disruption on Monday as the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) cut off its power supply. The action was taken after the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), which manages the stadium, failed to meet mandatory fire safety standards.
The power supply cutoff at the stadium comes following a tragic stampede near the venue on June 4 during the IPL winning celebration, which led to 11 deaths. In response to the tragic incident, the court has summoned top officials from both the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company and the Fire Department.
BESCOM Cuts Power to M Chinnaswamy Stadium Following Fire Safety Violations
The M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, home to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is currently operating on backup generators after the power supply was cut by Bescom. Notably, the Director General of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services issued the directive due to unresolved safety concerns.
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Bescom issued a notice to the KSCA in mid-June and subsequently disconnected the power for three days as instructed.
“Based on the DG’s recommendation, we served notice on KSCA in the second week of June and disconnected power for three days,” an official was quoted as saying by The Times of India.
The Karnataka State Cricket Association had failed to secure a mandatory Fire No Objection Certificate (Fire NOC). It raised serious concerns, especially since the stadium hosts large-scale cricket matches and public events that draw massive crowds.
We Cannot Risk Another Disaster – Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav after RCB Stampede
The Karnataka State Cricket Association had power restored at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 17 following a court intervention. However, BESCOM’s legal representative clarified that the supply would be cut again unless formal government approval was received.
Justice S. Sunil Dutt Yadav, who presided over the case, expressed strong criticism of the lapses in safety compliance. He stated that if fire safety norms are not met, the stadium must remain without power, emphasizing the need to avoid any repeat of past tragedies.
“If fire safety norms are not met, the stadium should remain in darkness. We cannot risk another disaster.”
The court stated that BESCOM must not reconnect electricity without government clearance and warned of serious consequences for any breach of safety regulations.
Bescom Refused to Grant KSCA 15 Days and Issued Fresh Notice on June 20
It is worth mentioning that a fire safety advisory was issued in May 2023, which the KSCA reportedly failed to implement. The Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) first disconnected power to M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 10. However, legal proceedings delayed a clear resolution.
KSCA had requested 15 days to meet the fire safety requirements, but Bescom declined the extension. Instead, they issued a fresh notice on June 20, demanding compliance within seven days. Bescom disconnected the power supply again on Monday morning.
“We (Bescom) refused to give KSCA 15 days’ time and served them another notice on June 20, asking them to comply with safety protocols within seven days, failing which power supply would be discontinued. With the seven-day deadline ending and KSCA yet to get back, we disconnected supply to the stadium Monday morning,” a Bescom engineer was quoted as saying by the English daily.
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