The Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (BESCOM) disconnected electricity supply to the iconic M Chinnaswamy Stadium because it failed to comply with fire safety norms, putting the operations of the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) in the limelight.
The step was taken following an instruction from the Director General of the Department of Fire and Emergency Services, who suggested disconnection of power to the stadium after KSCA allegedly did not heed serious fire safety issues. The stadium, which is home to IPL winners Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), is now running on standby generators.
A BESCOM spokesperson, as reported by The Times of India, stated, “On the DG’s suggestion, we sent a notice to KSCA in the second week of June and cut power supply for three days.”
The case has also caught the eye of the Karnataka High Court, which had earlier condemned BESCOM for still supplying power to the premises despite being aware that the same did not comply with fire safety standards. The issue came up during a hearing on a petition by KSCA, contesting BESCOM’s first disconnection notice dated June 12.
By KSCA’s legal team, power was restored for a short while on June 17 after a submission to court. Nevertheless, BESCOM’s lawyer explained that the supply would not be restarted again unless they receive official permission from the government.
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Justice S Sunil Dutt Yadav, who heard the case, minced no words in conveying his annoyance. “If safety regulations in the matter of fire are not adhered to, the stadium must not be lit. We do not want another tragedy,” he asserted. The judge made it clear that BESCOM cannot restore power supply unless proper approvals are received and stern consequences awaited any negligence in safety.
The court has also issued notices to BESCOM’s Managing Director, its Assistant Executive Engineer, and the Director General of Fire and Emergency Services. The next date of hearing is July 15.
The conflict begins with a May 2023 fire safety advisory, which KSCA purportedly did not respond to, leading the Fire Department to step in. BESCOM had first cut power on June 10, but the issue escalated in a legal manner, which pushed a resolution to the last minute.
“We did not give KSCA the 15 days they demanded and issued another notice on June 20,” a BESCOM engineer said to the English daily. “They were asked to comply within seven days, and with the deadline over now and no word from KSCA, we disconnected power on Monday morning.”
Currently, the KSCA will have to comply with all fire safety norms and obtain government approval if it is to hope for electricity to be restored to one of India’s most high-profile cricket grounds.
