An aerial view of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi. File photo: ManoramaKochi: In line with FIFA Safety and Security Regulations, tight security arrangements have been made at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor for the U-17 World Cup, beginning on October 6. A high-level panel headed by city police commissioner M.P. Dinesh reviewed the security arrangements at the venue on Thursday.
Expressing satisfaction over the state-of-the-art security system put in place at the stadium, the commissioner lauded the coordination among different departments for ensuring arrangements on par with international standards.
Individual duty passes will be issued to officials deployed at the venue for maintaining law and order and providing security during matches, he added.
Fire and Safety measures
Fire extinguishers and installations have been put up across the stadium to meet the fire standards required by the FIFA Safety and Security Regulations, informed the officials attached to the Fire and Rescue Services Department.
A posse of 320 stewards, who will be the first line of defense in the event of a fire breakout, will be deployed at the venue. They have undergone special training in fire extinguishing and rescue services under FIFA. The commissioner has instructed the local organizers to impart training to 50 more cadets to handle emergencies.
Food inspection squad
The food prepared for players will be tested to for quality on a daily basis. The commissioner also directed the organizers to ensure foolproof IT arrangements like networking and messaging systems.
As many as seven medical units will be opened at the venue. Seven ambulances will also be made available for emergency services.
Security personnel attached to the bomb detection and disposal squad, Fire and Rescue Department, Disaster Management Authority, National Disaster Response Force etc. would also deployed at the venue during matches.
The review meeting was attended by officials representing the Kerala State Electricity Board, FIFA, Kochi Metro, Revenue, Fire and Rescue, Telecommunication, Great Cochin Development Authority, and the Water Authority, apart from top police officers including Kochi Range IG P. Vijayan and Ernakulam ACP K. Lalji.
