Green Park Stadium's C Stand Deemed Unsafe

An inspection conducted by the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has revealed that one of the stands at Kanpur's Green Park Stadium is structurally unsafe. As a result, state officials have advised stadium management to limit seating in the affected area to avoid potential safety risks.

On Tuesday, a team from the PWD, alongside engineers from Harcourt Butler Technical University (HBTU), carried out an assessment of the venue. Sanjay Kapoor, the stadium’s director, mentioned that these types of inspections are routine before major events.

“Government departments always conduct surveys before an event,” Kapoor explained. “The PWD and HBTU inspection, which took place three days prior to the match, determined that certain seats in the C block are not suitable for use due to safety concerns.”

The C stand is among the oldest structures at Green Park and has been undergoing repairs over the past two days. The upper section of the stand, which can accommodate 4,800 people, will only have a limited number of seats available for sale, following the PWD’s recommendations.

Kapoor stated, “About 1,750 seats in the upper block are still open to spectators, and we are proceeding with full capacity in the lower block.”

Green Park last hosted a Test match against New Zealand in 2021, where there were issues with visibility despite floodlights being in operation. The match ended in a dramatic draw on the final day, 12 minutes early, with New Zealand’s last pair holding firm. Kapoor assured that the floodlights are fully operational and ready for use if necessary, particularly with rain expected during the first few days of the upcoming game.

“When hosting an international match, government approval is always required,” Kapoor added. “It's misleading to suggest this match is being organised without the necessary permissions. Also, all the floodlights are in working condition. We've even implemented a two-tier system to keep monkeys at bay.”

The upcoming Kanpur Test, set to begin today, September 27, will see India aiming for a series sweep after their 280-run victory in the Chennai Test last week.