25 X-ray machines to be part of security at Ferozeshah Kotla in Delhi

Around 25 baggage X-ray machines will ensure that nothing unwanted slips inside the Ferozeshah Kotla as part of unprecedented security plans chalked out for the four World Cup games starting this month.

The Delhi Police and the Delhi and District Cricket Association (DDCA) have decided to check the ‘character and antecedents’ of the 3,000- odd people, including security personnel, curators, DDCA officials, and the catering staff, who will be issued accreditation cards.

For this, the Delhi Police are using the same template that they implemented for the hockey World Cup and the Commonwealth Games held in New Delhi last year. People will have to answer questions like if they have ever been prosecuted or convicted or facing a trail in a court of law, among other personal details.

“We are taking around 25 X-ray machines on rent. They will screen every article and food item that will go inside the stadium. Two machines each will be stationed at the gates at which there is more spectator rush. There are 18 gates in all, but only 13 or 14 will be used for the matches,” a top DDCA official told us.

“However, we will ensure that the controversy surrounding the X-ray machines rented at a high price for the Commonwealth Games is not repeated at the Kotla,” he said. The Delhi Police are taking no chances as there is a reported militant threat to the World Cup. Therefore, a limited number of accreditation passes will be issued for the matches beginning on February 24.

This means that many people connected with the DDCA who used to, by hook or crook, get the supposedly prestigious ‘all areas’ passes made for international matches, will have to take a backseat — literally. “In all, we will be issuing about 3,000 accreditation passes and we will be particularly very strict with sundry officials linked with the DDCA.

It has made some people angry and they are haggling for more, but we have put our foot down,” the official said. “We have decided to issue accreditation to members of the executive committee (24), government nominees on the executive (3), DDCA patrons (5), vice-patrons (2), and the sports working committee (10),” the official said.

Those who will be issued passes include Delhi Police personnel, private security guards, ground staff, medical teams, catering staff, housekeeping, scorers, hospitality staff, volunteers, local managers attached to the teams, and equipment suppliers etc. “These 3,000 passes will be excluding the central accreditation issued by the International Cricket Council,” he said.

And like everyone else, they will all have to fill the ‘character and antecedents verification’ forms.