Bengaluru, Feb 12 (NationPress) The Karnataka government has officially provided conditional approval for the resumption of cricket matches at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This decision comes months after the venue was prohibited from hosting events due to the tragic stampede that occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) inaugural IPL title celebrations on June 4, 2025, which resulted in the loss of 11 lives.

Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar made the announcement while addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha.

“In the interest of our youth and the sport of cricket, the government has decided to allow matches to be held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium moving forward,” he stated.

He emphasized that this permission is contingent upon strict guidelines, including limiting ticket sales to the stadium's approved seating capacity, the installation of larger gates to manage crowd flow, and adherence to safety protocols as recommended by the Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission, which includes ensuring ambulance presence.

“This is indeed a positive update for cricket enthusiasts. I apologize for the inconvenience and disappointment felt in recent times. We've lost a significant tournament, but let's remain vigilant moving ahead,” Shivakumar added.

Earlier that day, a high-level meeting was convened by the state government with representatives from the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and senior officials to discuss the possibility of hosting the IPL's opening match at the stadium.

The meeting, chaired by Home Minister G. Parameshwara, included key figures such as Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Tushar Girinath, DGP & IGP M.A. Saleem, Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) Commissioner Maheshwar Rao, Home Secretary K.V. Sharath Chandra, and Bengaluru City Police Commissioner B. Dayananda, along with representatives from KSCA and RCB.

Post-meeting, Parameshwara indicated that discussions revolved around implementing essential recommendations from the retired Justice Michael D’Cunha Commission, which was tasked with investigating the stampede incident.

“We have instructed KSCA and RCB to act on the primary recommendations. They have already begun taking necessary actions in various domains,” he mentioned.

He further revealed that the Cabinet will make a final decision regarding the approval for matches in Bengaluru. “The Cabinet has entrusted the Home Ministry with further consultations and a report. I will update the Cabinet this evening, after which an official announcement will follow,” he added.

Parameshwara acknowledged that stakeholders have addressed immediate recommendations and initiated steps towards infrastructure improvements and long-term strategies.

“Traditionally, the IPL season kicks off at the home ground of the defending champions. Since RCB clinched the title, the inaugural match is set to take place at Chinnaswamy Stadium, and they have sought governmental approval for this,” he explained.

A committee led by GBA Chairman Maheshwar Rao, which includes representatives from the police, Public Works Department (PWD), Health Department, and other relevant agencies, assessed the situation. Their findings were discussed during the two-hour meeting on Thursday.

The Home Minister pointed out that some recommendations relate to upgrading infrastructure, such as gates, walkways, and holding areas, while others focus on immediate measures like ambulance readiness, medical personnel availability, and triage facilities.

Regarding accountability for any unfortunate incidents, Parameshwara stated that the responsibility would rest with the event organizers — KSCA and RCB.