KSCA confident of making all recommended security measures at Chinnaswamy Stadium by Feb. end

Ample holding areas and separate queues for women and children are among the key measures that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) will take to ensure a safe experience for fans attending high-profile matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here.

The KSCA is confident that all safety measures recommended in the Justice John Michael Cunha report will be implemented by the end of February. The government’s conditional approval to host matches at this iconic venue has raised hopes that Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will play its IPL 2026 home matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

There has been speculation that RCB will play outside Karnataka, in the aftermath of the deadly stampede during its IPL title-winning celebrations last year.

KSCA secretary Santosh Menon explained that the vast KSCA ‘B’ ground, adjacent to the main field, will be used as a holding area on match days. The club tennis courts will also be used for this purpose.

“The police recommended that it is safer to keep spectators inside the stadium premises in holding areas for as long as possible during the time of entry, rather than on the road,” Mr. Santosh said here on Wednesday.

Mr. Santosh pointed to several areas inside the stadium complex where space will be cleared to expand the waiting areas. To better manage big crowds, entry gates will be widened to six meters, Mr. Santosh said.

“The police also recommended that we have only two entry gates on Queens Road, and move the rest to Cubbon Road,” Mr. Santosh said. The old service gate entry — located near Minsk Square — caused traffic jams, prompting a shift to Queens Road.

To facilitate easy entry to spectators seated in the higher sections of the stands, ramps will be built, Mr. Santosh said.