Kolkata: No water bottles, no food packets and, this time, not even food kiosks inside the stands. Nearly a year after chaos during Lionel Messi’s appearance at Salt Lake Stadium, police have tightened the rules for Saturday’s India-Brazil exhibition match. “We have banned the food kiosks to avoid rush and trouble. There will be ample number of water dispensers but there will be no food kiosks inside the stadium stands,” a senior Bidhannagar city police officer said on Friday.Around 2,000 policemen will be deployed at the stadium, with more than 400 volunteers. Separate companies of central forces will also be stationed at the venue for the four international matches scheduled during the current football programme.“Personnel posted in the stands have been instructed to keep their focus on spectators rather than the players or the field, allowing them to respond quickly to any crowd-related situation,” said a senior officer of Bidhannagar city police.The stadium, which already had 244 CCTV cameras, has been equipped with another 100 temporary cameras over the past 24 hours, covering entry and exit points. Officials said these additional cameras will eventually be installed permanently.Brazil have also stepped up security for their squad, with the Brazilian Football Confederation flying down an eight-member private security team in Kolkata guarding the team members. The visiting delegation is operating under enhanced security protocols, including round-the-clock guarding at its accommodation and reinforced security around training facilities.The heightened precautions follow the disorder during Messi’s visit to Salt Lake Stadium in Dec, when angry spectators damaged seats amid complaints over restricted views. This time, police are seeking to keep the crowd moving smoothly from approach roads to the stadium and minimise points where congestion can build up.At the stadium officials said water dispensers and medical counters have been arranged in all blocks to ensure spectators do not have to move around unnecessarily.The state forest department has also been conducting a security check of the stadium since Thursday, scanning the premises for snakes. One monkey was rescued during the exercise on Friday. The security measures extend beyond the stadium. Separate guard rails have been installed on approach roads to create pedestrian channels and regulate the movement of spectators towards the gates while keeping traffic flowing in the surrounding areas.Cops have already banned firecrackers, smoke candles, lighters, cigarettes, inflammable material, laser lights, banners, posters, sharp objects, weapons, alcohol and narcotic substances at the stadium.“Spectators have been advised to reach the stadium by 5pm, two hours before the scheduled start, and keep their mobile phones charged for ticket scanning. Entry will involve three layers of frisking and digital ticket checks,” an official added.
