An electricity crisis threatens to disrupt the fourth T20 match between India and Australia at Raipur’s Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh Stadium today, highlighting gross negligence by state authorities.
The international stadium has remained without power supply since 2018 owing to unpaid electricity bills accumulating to Rs 3.16 crore since 2009.
Despite hosting three international fixtures here over the last five years, the stalemate between the stadium’s overseers – the Public Works Department (PWD) and the Sports Department – has resulted in the crisis worsening.
As per officials, temporary electric connections have been set up in the galleries and corporate boxes as stopgap measures. But the playing area and floodlights will rely solely on generators for today’s match.
“I don’t know the exact bill amount. But the connection has been temporarily taken for spectators,” said a Chhattisgarh cricket official, expressing doubts about whether Raipur merits hosting international cricket given the persistent issue.
The electricity company has issued multiple warnings in the past asking the state departments to clear outstanding dues before restoring supply. But the lackadaisical attitude has led from disconnection to a complete blackout now.
Sports minister Umesh Patel has claimed arrangements are being made to pay dues worth Rs 1.8 crore. But with penalties rising daily, there seems to be no permanent resolution in sight.
The situation reflects poorly on the state government as international attention turns to Raipur today. Lack of electricity has previously affected a half-marathon event here too in 2018.
