The scenic Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium in Dharamshala has been closed to tourists and the general public with immediate effect. This decision comes as preparations ramp up for the third match of the five-game T20 series between India and South Africa, scheduled to be played here on Sunday, December 14.

Visitors traveling to Dharamshala and McLeodganj from across the country and abroad often include the stadium in their itinerary. However, they will now have to return disappointed as entry has been restricted until further orders. The closure is intended to ensure smooth logistical preparations and robust security measures ahead of the high-voltage encounter.

Teams Arriving on Friday

Both the Indian and South African squads are expected to reach Dharamshala on Friday, December 12. The match on Sunday promises to be a major event, drawing significant attention. HPCA General Secretary Avnish Parmar confirmed the closure, stating that the decision was taken by the management to facilitate uninterrupted preparations for the match.

“This decision has been taken by the management considering the smooth preparations and security arrangements for the India-South Africa T20 match on December 14. Appropriate arrangements for tourists will be made after the event work is completed.” — Avnish Parmar, HPCA General Secretary

Security Ramp-up

Local authorities have implemented a comprehensive security plan for the city. Approximately 1,000 police personnel will be deployed to manage safety and crowd control. To streamline operations, the city has been divided into eight security sectors.

Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Kangra, Bir Bahadur Singh, stated that the department has finalized the security blueprint. Along with the deployed force, around 20 officers of ASP and DSP rank will oversee the arrangements to ensure the event proceeds without incident.