Commando force inspects Wankhede stadium

Amidst intelligence inputs that terror outfits may disrupt ICC Cricket World Cup matches, Maharashtra's elite commando force 'Force One' inspected the topography of Wankhede stadium here to ensure 'quick response' in case of any untoward incident, a top police official said.

With either India or Pakistan to reach the final that would be played on April 2 at Wankhede which has capacity to sit 32,000 spectators, the security agencies are leaving no stone unturned, police said.

"Before April 2, city police would conduct a rehearsal. A team of Force One has recently studied the topography of the ground," the IPS official added.

"The squad has examined the physical features of the ground like number of entry and exit points, sitting arrangements for the spectators including that of dignitaries, visited building around the stadium, went to the terraces of the nearby building from where the stadium could be viewed," the official added.

Sadanand Date, chief of Force One formed on the lines of National Security Guards refused to comment on the inspection citing security reasons.

The purpose of the inspection was to take necessary precautions and ensure 'quick response' in case of any untoward incident, said another officer.

The Force One was formed following terror attack on Mumbai on 26\11.

On the day of the match, a multi-layer security will be put in place around two-km radius of the stadium and outside food items will not be allowed inside the stadium.

Apart from the city police, State Reserve Police Force personnel and Quick Response teams will also be deployed in and around the stadium. There would be at least 1500 police posted around the stadium, sources said.

With inputs that terror outfits may strike by parking explosive-laden vehicles, the city police have decided not to allow parking within a radius of one kilometre of the Wankhede Stadium.

Those who come in their vehicles will have to park them either near Inox mall, Nariman point or near Azad Maidan located about one kilometre away from the ground.