However, even as most of the 400 tickets set aside for the package have been sold, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) has been instructed by the state Public Works Department (PWD) to scrap the idea. Reason: the temporary structure set up by KKR is “unfit and unsafe for use”. What is worse, after the PWD’s thumbs-down, the state fire department directed the IPL organisers to bring down the structure.

After a final round of inspection of the super-hospitality structure at Eden, the PWD gave its verdict, citing that it will not allow the organisers — CAB and KKR — to use it for the first two IPL matches to be played at the Eden Garden. KKR will take on Bangalore Royal Challengers on Sunday.

Speaking to The Indian Express, CAB joint-secretary Biswarup Dey said that the PWD reckons the structure is unsafe, and it is entirely up to the franchise now to decide on how to solve the problem.

“As of now, the PWD has given an unfit certificate. They inspected the structure and decided not to give the green signal because they thought the new structure is unfit and unsafe for use. There will another round of discussion on the issue on Saturday. As things stand, the structure cannot be used,” Dey said.

KKR officials went into a huddle and are looking for a face-saving exit following the crisis. A reliable source in the CAB, meanwhile, claimed: “The main problem is that KKR flouted rules in building the special structure. The set-up they eventually made and the drawings they had earlier submitted to the PWD do not match. This hasn’t gone down well with the PWD.”

He added: “It will take at least a fortnight for KKR to again bring down the structure and rebuild it in accordance with PWD guidelines.”

The structure, comprising two ‘luxury levels’, has been set up adjacent to the B C Roy Club House.

Governor’s official made to wait, not given passes
The CAB reportedly kept a representative of West Bengal Governor M K Narayanan waiting for over two hours today and did not hand him the VVIP passes meant for the Governor. The representative, who chose to remain unnamed, told The Indian Express that the Governor’s office may take up the matter if the CAB does the same again. CAB joint-secretary Biswarup Dey defused the situation asking the representative to return to the CAB tomorrow with a letter seeking passes for Narayanan.