Mumbai: Residents living near Wankhede request CM to shift IPL matches amid COVID-19 spike

A water soaking up machine goes past Indian ground staff ready to mop-up after light rain at Wankhede Stadium. Picture/AFP

Amid the surge in COVID-19 cases in Mumbai, residents who live near the iconic Wankhede Stadium want the soon to begin Indian Premier League (IPL) matches scheduled to be played there shifted. The development comes as residents fear that crowding due to IPL could worsen the COVID-19 situation in the area.

According to a report in the Times of India, recently a crowd had gathered outside a popular hotel at Nariman Point when buses with some of the cricketers arrived. In a letter addressed to CM Uddhav Thackeray, Asit Shroff, a resident of D Road said, "Though spectators are not allowed for the IPL matches, the residents fear similar crowds could gather at the stadium, near where many buildings are sealed due to Covid cases."

In his letter dating April 2, Shroff, who is also a member of the Marine Drive Residents' Association requested the Maharashtra CM to shift the IPL matches to another venue, located in a non-residential area.

"The state government is compelled to restrict religious and other social activities like marriages, deaths, etc. and contrary to this, in these difficult times, IPL cricket matches of such magnitude lasting over several days is permitted," Shroff added.

Another D Road resident Mahendra Hemdev said, "Every year during the matches, there are parking restrictions, which make it difficult for the senior residents and is unacceptable in these times of Covid."