ICC WT20 Cricket 2016

HC deadline ends but hope floats for Kotla

Both DDCA and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation say all suggested modifications were carried out by February 26. © Getty

The suspense over Feroz Shah Kotla's eligibility to host ICC world Twenty20 matches is set to end, with the stadium likely to be given the mandatory occupancy certificate in a few days.

The 20-day deadline set by the high court for Delhi District Cricket Association (DDCA) to make 60 structural changes in the stadium expired on Monday (February 29) without the cricket body getting the municipality's clearance to hold matches. However, both DDCA and the South Delhi Municipal Corporation say all suggested modifications were carried out by February 26, well before the deadline.

SDMC says it is now waiting for DDCA to submit drawings approved by its architect before the certificate is issued.

"We don't deny that they have completed the work as we had supervised the progress everyday. There were 60 deviations from the approved building plan and they have completed making the changes. However, we haven't received the drawings approved by their architect," said a senior official in SDMC's engineering department.

"Once we receive the drawings, we will initiate the process of granting the occupancy certificate. This is just a procedural delay," the official added.

Chetan Chauhan, DDCA president, said, "We had finished all work on February 26 itself and have sent a letter to the SDMC informing them of the completion. We are yet to get the occupancy certificate though. We are hoping to get it in the next three days."

Meanwhile, sale of tickets for the eight matches to be held at the stadium started on February 24. Kotla is set to host its first match - New Zealand vs Sri Lanka women's encounter on March 15.
DDCA had got a conditional occupancy certificate from the SDMC on February 9.

Setting the 20-day deadline, the Delhi HC had observed on February 9, "If the work is not completed, then no occupancy certificate will be given to the DDCA and no matches will be allowed. After 20 days, you should not come and say the SDMC is illegally withholding the occupancy certificate or say you need any modification in the earlier order.

"This should not happen. BCCI will have to take the risk whatever is going on in the matter."