IPL relief: Army, cops sort out Maidan parking row
Times of India | 3 April 2025
12 Kolkata: Thousands of IPL fans can now park their vehicles around Eden Gardens on Thursday during KKR's home match without any hitch. The Army and Kolkata Police confirmed on Wednesday, a day before the match, that parking will continue around Maidan in the same manner as was seen during KKR's first home match last month. This means traffic cops will allot parking slots in front of the Bangabasi College tent and nearby areas, Band Stand, the area behind Rangers Club, behind Vijay Smarak, Shahid Minar Ground, and high court ground.
A senior official at Eastern Command said following a meeting with all stakeholders involved, the issue over parking of vehicles on the Maidan land has been sorted. "We had a successful meeting and the issue is being resolved," the official said.
The official, however, added that they will keep a close watch on violations and if there is any major damage to greenery around Maidan because of rampant parking. They have asked Kolkata Police to follow protocol when it comes to communicating with the Army while seeking proper permission before allowing parking on Maidan ahead of any big event in the future.
Sources said a team of officials have been tasked to take stock of the situation. There can also be follow-up meetings with stakeholders, including Kolkata Police and CAB, during the course of the tournament.
Traffic cops said they will ensure there is no parking beyond the allotted point on Maidan. On the ground, coordination will be maintained with CAB and, if required, the Army. "We can always develop an SOP through discussions," said a DCP. The cops will be putting additional men at crucial points and ensure wider CCTV coverage.
In all, over 3,000 vehicles can now be accommodated, said cops. During IPL, Kolkata Police issues three types of parking stickers — pink for parking in front of Bangabasi College tent and adjacent areas, which can accommodate 450-500 cars; green for parking opposite CAB, that can accommodate 300 cars; red for parking at Band Stand, that can accommodate around 250 cars. Kolkata Police also allow parking in other parts of Maidan.
Sources from both Kolkata Police and the Army said the discussions on March 29 covered the most sensitive issue — the green sticker parking, given it is issued to match officials and dignitaries, opposite the CAB gate. "There are 300 slots here. Even if we arrange for parking near the HC, the cars usually parked there don't clear out before 7.30 pm. But cars start arriving at Eden Gardens by 5 pm. There can be a potential security issue here, which we conveyed to the Army, who gave us a patient hearing and helped us with their inputs," an officer said.
The dilemma had started on March 24 when the Army wrote to the cops saying permission to park vehicles on defence land had not been taken from the local military authority.