TNCA confident of opening three empty stands of M.A Chidambaram Stadium

MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. (Photo Source: Getty Images)

M.A Chidambaram Stadium, also known as Chepauk Stadium, has hosted plenty of matches to be considered as one of the well-known stadiums which the country has. The stadium, which is the third oldest cricket stadium of the country, is controlled by the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association.  Established in 1916, the stadium also been hosting the matches of Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

However, the venue has been affected by legal issues for the past few years.

In the recent development of news, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA) did not receive the Government Order for renewing the lease agreement of the stadium for a period of 21 years. On Thursday, former ICC, BCCI and TNCA chief N. Srinivasan had a meeting with the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami. The TNCA is expected to receive the Government Order on November 22. After receiving the Government Order, the TNCA will knock the High Court’s door for the reopening of three stands- I, J and K.

M.A Chidambaram Stadium has a capacity of 50,000 seats

The stadium has a capacity of 50,000 seats but only 38,000 seats are being used. It’s not a pleasing sight to see the ‘I, J, and K’ stands of the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium being completely empty. The three stands have a maximum capacity of 12,000. However, the stand have not been utilised since November 2011 as they have been under legal issues since their construction.

In 2015, the Supreme Court had even ordered the demolition of parts of the stands, asking the TNCA

to send out the plan to the Chennai Municipal Corporation. The primary reason behind the issue is the gymnasium of the Madras Cricket Club (MCC) adjoining the stands. Parts of the Madras Cricket Club have been declared heritage structures by the Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority (CMDA), making it a tough task to demolish any part of the club.

Ahead of the India-Australia ODI at Chepauk last year, there was a strong move to make the three stands available as a “temporary” goodwill gesture but the State Government backed off at the last moment due to legal complications.