Bengaluru, March 4 (NationPress) In light of the upcoming IPL cricket matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru, Karnataka's Home Minister, G. Parameshwara, announced on Wednesday that all mandatory safety protocols will be enforced prior to the events, with an increased police presence to guarantee a secure environment.

The state has recently granted a conditional nod for hosting IPL 2026 matches, which includes five home games for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

During a press briefing in Bengaluru, HM Parameshwara emphasized Karnataka's oversight of the preparations. He remarked, "We have issued directives following the guidelines of the Justice Michael D'Cunha Committee to the RCB. A committee led by Maheshwara Rao, Chairman of the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA), has been formed to liaise with RCB and KSCA for discussions."

"Rao has informed them that matches will only proceed after all conditions are met. I am optimistic that they will fulfill these requirements before the matches begin. The police department is monitoring the situation daily. Our responsibility is to ensure that if they establish the necessary infrastructure, the police will implement enhanced security measures this time around. We've already had discussions on this matter," he added.

Parameshwara confirmed that a significant number of police personnel will be stationed around the Chinnaswamy Stadium to prevent any incidents during the cricket matches.

The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) expressed excitement on Tuesday about cricket's return to the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium after persistent efforts, with five matches—including playoffs and the final—set to take place in Bengaluru.

KSCA spokesperson Vinay Mrityunjay noted that the association has diligently worked to ensure the successful execution of the forthcoming matches.

“After much endeavor, cricket is making its comeback to KSCA. There will be five matches, including the playoffs and final, here,” he stated.

He further mentioned that a formal agreement will be established between the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), and the franchise Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in accordance with the set guidelines. “We will hand over the stadium to RCB per the established norms,” he noted.

Highlighting safety, Mrityunjay underscored that the security of fans is the utmost priority. He urged spectators to cooperate with the authorities and utilize public transport while heading to the stadium for better crowd management and enhanced safety measures.

It is important to remember that the state government had previously imposed a ban on cricket matches at the stadium following a tragic stampede on June 4, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives.