Ahmedabad is taking steps to regulate box cricket and net-covered sports. This follows a recent incident in Surat where a box cricket structure collapsed due to heavy rains and strong winds. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has drafted a policy to ensure safety and proper management of these facilities.
The new policy includes several key highlights. First, there will be a one-time license fee for setting up box cricket areas and similar sports. Only plots along roads that are at least 12 meters wide will be approved.
Existing structures must reapply within 30 days of the policy’s release and pay ₹100 per square meter for approval. If a facility is unauthorized, the fee will be ₹200 per square meter. The AMC has also proposed a 5% increase in license fees every three years to keep up with inflation.
Operators of these sports facilities will have specific responsibilities. They must manage traffic around their premises and deploy security guards. Installation of CCTV cameras according to police guidelines is required as well. Safety standards must be met, and failure to comply could lead to license cancellation.
The structural guidelines are also strict. A minimum plot area of 500 square meters is necessary. The maximum height of any structure is set at 12 meters. Facilities must maintain a 6-meter margin from the road and 3-meter side margins. Importantly, at least 50% of the plot should be designated for parking.
To ensure safety, structures must be surrounded by 3-meter-high metal barricades. Each net-covered area must also have at least one entry and one exit on each side. Open space around the structures should be maintained to allow for safety and emergency access.
The rise of box cricket has been notable in Ahmedabad. This sport, a fast-paced version of traditional cricket, requires limited space and is well-suited for urban areas. It has become a popular activity, with players paying between ₹1,000 and ₹2,000 per hour to play.
Many of these cricket setups have emerged on open plots near S.G. Highway and S.P. Ring Road, where iron nets are often used to enclose playing areas. Until now, there were no formal regulations to oversee these facilities. The new policy aims to bring order to this burgeoning sport.
The AMC is leading the way in Gujarat by being the first civic body to draft such regulations. This initiative not only addresses safety concerns but also promotes accountability among operators. After the draft is released, the public will have an opportunity to share suggestions or objections. The AMC will review these inputs before finalizing the policy.
Once approved, the policy will then be sent to the state government for final ratification. An AMC official confirmed that no temporary sports setups will be permitted without the corporation’s approval in the future. Additional permissions from police, fire services, and the airport authority will also be necessary, if applicable.
In conclusion, the AMC’s new guidelines aim to create a safer environment for box cricket and net-covered sports in Ahmedabad. This move reflects the city’s commitment to promoting sports while ensuring the safety of participants and spectators alike. As box cricket gains traction, these regulations could pave the way for better infrastructure and community engagement in sports across Gujarat.
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