Parking relief for KKR fans turns into despair after home team’s loss to Hyd
Times of India | 4 April 2025
Kolkata: Cricket fans driving to Eden Gardens on Thursday could park their cars with ease as the Army and Kolkata Police resolved the parking stalemate a day before the match. However, the early relief turned into despair by the end of the evening as KKR suffered a crushing defeat against the power-packed batting line-up of SRH.
Following a week-long deliberation after the Army wrote to the cops denying nod to parking of vehicles in front of the Bangabasi College tent and nearby areas, TOI reported on Thursday that both the Army and Kolkata Police confirmed that parking on Maidan would be allowed on Thursday and for future home matches of KKR after meeting with all stakeholders.
But cops maintained caution on Thursday, initially urging car owners to park in other areas, leaving the area in front of the Bangabasi College tent and allowing only vehicles belonging to officials in that area. "Footfall for Thursday's match was significantly low compared to other matches, which helped us in managing the parking around the stadium," said a senior officer of Kolkata traffic police.
Army officials were also posted around the stadium to ensure parking norms agreed upon were not violated.
Those driving to the stadium thanked the cops and Army for sorting out the issue. "We usually enter the ground pretty late and we carry a lot of materials while entering the stadium. If we are asked to park our cars 1 km away and then walk the stretch, it will get really difficult," said a senior official of one of the title sponsors of the tournament.
The heat, mid-week match schedule, and lack of star power in Thursday's match led to a modest footfall of fans and the usual buzz missing outside the stadium. However, a host of KKR loyalists were still there rooting for the home team.
"I always prefer evening matches over afternoon ones. I was with the team during every ups and downs and cheered my lungs out for the team even on Thursday," said Bithi Roy (30). Equally optimistic was Sohamananda Das Mohanta (27), a KKR fan from Siliguri who was at the Eden with friends.
There was also a stream of saffron army yelling for SRH.