To save India-Sri Lanka T20I, DDCA plans to put ball in High Court
The Delhi and Districts Cricket Association (DDCA) has decided to move the high court in a bid to expedite the process of procuring necessary clearances to host the India-Sri Lanka T20 international on February 12.
On Tuesday The Indian Express had reported that the BCCI could shift the match out of Ferozshah Kotla if the association fails to provide the documents within the next few days. The board, it was learnt, had even shortlisted three venues in the event DDCA fails to get the clearances on time.
“We have decided to move the high court so that we face no problems in getting hold of the various permissions necessary. We just don’t want any delay and would want the court to intervene and expedite if any department hinders the process. The same (intention to move court) will be communicated to the board,” DDCA treasurer Ravinder Manchanda said.
It, though, remains to be seen whether the BCCI allows the association more time to get the clearances in place on account of the court case, like it did before the India-South Africa 4th Test.
SDMC hurdle
Despite the uncertainty, the mood in the DDCA is upbeat. However, while the “routine clearances/permissions” shouldn’t be much of a problem, getting the permanent occupancy certificate and clearance certificate from the South Delhi Municipal Corporation (SDMC) within this short period could prove to be difficult.
Before the December Test the high court had made it clear that it was the last time the DDCA was getting “temporary” occupation certificate. The court had further directed the association to take “earnest steps towards obtaining the requisite clearances/compliances” from the Delhi Urban Arts Commission (DUAC) and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and no-objection certificate from Land and Development Office (L&DO), which have delayed the issuance of a permanent occupancy certificate and completion certificate for the stadium.
It’s been two months since and the association is nowhere near getting any of the clearances. A 30-point checklist is lying with DDCA working president Chetan Chauhan and “encouraging response” is what they have managed so far.”SMCD is a major hurdle. Rest we would manage, but this is where the problem might arise. To be honest, I don’t see it happening (clearances) since a lot of work remains to be done to meet the 30-point checklist. And that work can’t happen overnight or in the next few days,” a senior DDCA official said.
Chauhan, however, has sought more time from BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur and intends to send his reply to the board by Wednesday evening on whether or not the DDCA can host the match. “I have replied to Anurag’s email and have sought more time. We are on track to get hold of everything and by Wednesday evening I would have a clearer picture,” Chauhan said.
