How did the mess happen to ticket distribution at KSCA ? When the new management took over it was full of promises to streamline the functioning of KSCA, and it won hands down since all the ex players were contesting in the elections against the politicians. I believe the surprising inclusion of India vs England match threw the entire calculation in awry.

Let the bygones be forgotton, but the lessons to be learnt from the brickbats is that distribution of tickets should have been prominently declared. The counter for bookings should have had fully barricaded enclosure filling in only the required amount of public. For example counter 1 is entitled to distribute 1000 tickets, the barricaded enclosure should be policed and 1000 nos of people should have been allowed to enter the queue. This would have largely avoided the stampede

I believe the long term solution to the crazy demand of tickets is to expand the stadium capacity, even though the declared capacity is 40 k I believe normally it holds 60 to 70 k during a critical match involving India vs AUS/ENG/PAK/S AFRICA/SRI LANKA. The capacity can be easily increased to 80 k with a little bit of renovation of the stadium itself.

Secondly the issue of passes even though a necessary evil, could be grossly curtalied. I believe cops require no passes if they are on special duty, secondly their family members may be the real issue, thirdly private security guards and finally govt agencies such as BBMP, BESCOM & BWSSB and legislatures. Of course another 2000 passes have to be set aside, KSCA Club members require around 3000 passes, Club cricket passes 7000, ICC 5000, BCCI 10,000, if you take all these into consideration more than 25000 passes are to be reserved than we have premium tickets sale which brings in the moolah. I estimate around 8,000 premium slots are sold so the balance which remains for the public is measly 7000 tickets officially, but let us take the unofficial crowd. We can expect around 20 k free loaders or people entering without tickets by backdoor entry.

Now the government should plan to switch the stadium with Race course and move the race course outside the city limits near Hebbal lake or some other place suitable. I believe the best place to have race course is near the Airforce base where the hillocks are being mined for stone. A world class stadium with 2 lakh capacity with underground parking can be planned with entry from one side and exit from other side can be planned.

Other option is to have race course in Palace grounds if the Wodeyar family agrees maintaining the greenary. There is already a proposal for the global financial city being mooted on the premise, which would be other alternative. His largesse in giving up substantial space for road widening is heartening.

The final plan of action has to be decided taking into consideration the parking facility and streamline the issue of managing capacities. Cricket has crazy following it is upto the administrators to plan for the future a world class facility for the paying public. I believe for the rest of us the option is to enjoy it on the big screen at pubs and clubs and sweet home. Wishing Indian team all the best for their match against England.