A devastating explosion occurred near the Lal Qila metro station in Delhi on Monday evening, resulting in at least eight deaths and many more injuries. In the wake of this tragedy, Kolkata Police have reinforced security measures ahead of the India-South Africa Test match at Eden Gardens, which is set to begin on 14 November.
Both teams are currently based in Kolkata, and reports from Indian media outlet India Today confirm that additional security has been put in place for the entire tour.
The Delhi Police Commissioner, Satish Golcha, reported that the explosion took place at 6:52 PM when a slow-moving car came to a halt at a traffic signal near Lal Qila. The blast damaged several nearby vehicles, and authorities believe the explosives found in the vehicle were intended to create widespread panic across the city.
In response to the incident, Kolkata Police have implemented special security protocols to safeguard the two cricket teams. Security around Eden Gardens, the venue for the first Test, has been significantly strengthened. This includes vehicle checks, increased CCTV surveillance, and heightened monitoring of player movements, both on training days and during match days.
Kolkata Police Commissioner Manoj Verma will personally visit Eden Gardens on Tuesday to inspect and review the security arrangements. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is working closely with local authorities to ensure the safety of players, officials, and spectators. Increased security has also been deployed at the teams’ hotels.
A joint meeting between the CAB and the police yesterday confirmed further details for the enhanced security measures. The second and final Test of the series will take place in Guwahati on 22 November, followed by a three-match ODI series and a five-match T20 series between India and South Africa.
Additional Security at Arun Jaitley Stadium
In addition to the heightened security in Kolkata, security measures have also been reinforced at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, where a Ranji Trophy match between Delhi and Jammu & Kashmir is currently being played. The India Today report confirms that additional precautions are being taken to ensure safety at the stadium, located only a few kilometres from the site of the explosion.