Hyderabad gears up for IPL 2025: Traffic changes and security protocols at Uppal stadium

Hyderabad: The 18th edition of the TATA IPL-2025 will be held at the Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Uppal, Hyderabad, from March 23 to May 10, 2025. The stadium, with a seating capacity of around 39,000, will host the IPL matches, including the Qualifier-1 on May 20 and the Eliminator match on May 21.

To ensure the smooth and safe conduct of these matches, the Hyderabad police have made extensive security arrangements. A total of 2,700 police personnel will be deployed for bandobust operations, with assistance from various specialized forces such as the TSSP/AR (12 platoons), Octopus (2 teams), Vajra (10), mounted police (10), and others like SB, CCS staff, SOT, and a firefighting squad with 4 fire tenders.

#RachakondaPolice gear up for the #SRHvsRR match on March 23, 2025, at Rajiv Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Uppal. #CP_Rachakonda, Sri G. Sudheer Babu, IPS, reviews security arrangements at the venue and briefs the staff on strengthening security measures.#TATAIPL… pic.twitter.com/DnLzySrKQY

— Rachakonda Police (@RachakondaCop) March 21, 2025

Security Measures at the Stadium:

• The gates will open 3 hours before the scheduled start of each match, and spectators will be allowed entry based on their ticketing and evacuation plan. Gate No. 1 will be exclusively for players and VVIPs, with no entry for others.
• Spectators must enter the stadium through designated gates, and comprehensive evacuation procedures are in place for any emergency situations.
• A total of 450 CCTV cameras will be installed at various points within the stadium, including vehicle check points, parking places, and surrounding areas. All footage will be monitored in a joint command and control room for immediate action.
• Anti-sabotage checks will be carried out with the help of bomb disposal teams and sniffer dogs, continuing round the clock until the match concludes.
• Scanners will be installed to detect explosives and prohibited materials inside the stadium. Four mobile technicians will be deployed at each gate to check spectators’ mobile phones.
• Effective communication is ensured with the allocation of VHF sets to every Sub-Inspector and above rank for quick response in case of emergencies.

Prohibited Items:

Spectators are not allowed to carry the following items into the stadium:
• Laptops, banners, water bottles, cameras, cigarettes, umbrellas, electronic items, matchboxes, lighters, sharp metal/plastic objects, binoculars, writing pens, batteries, helmets, perfumes, bags, and outside food.

In addition, separate Anti-Eve-Teasing teams have been established to manage any related issues. Vendor supervising teams will ensure that prices are regulated as prescribed by the authorities.

Parking Arrangements:

Parking has been arranged at five main locations for both four-wheel and two-wheel vehicles, with clear signage provided. The parking lots are:
1. Build Brick Builders (Penguins) Open Area, near EK Minar, opposite Metro Pillar No. 928 (for spectators coming from Habsiguda and Uppal).
2. TGIIC-IALA Open Area, near EK Minar (for spectators coming from Habsiguda and Uppal).
3. Modern Bakery Open Area, near LG Godown, adjacent to the industrial lane of IDA Uppal (for spectators coming from Ramanthapur, LB Nagar, and Uppal X Roads).
4. Zahause Properties Open Area, opposite NSL Arena Building.
5. DSL Virtue Mall Cellar, on the road towards Uppal X Roads to Ramanthapur (for spectators coming from Ramanthapur, LB Nagar, and Uppal X Roads).

Additional two-wheeler parking areas include:
• NGRI Gate 1 to 3 (Habsiguda to Uppal X Roads).
• Genpact to NGRI (towards Habsiguda).
• Genpact to Hindu Office Lane.
• DSL Virtue Mall to NSL Arena (both sides).
• Modern Bakery to Chemveda Office (both sides).

Car pass holders for Outer Gates 1 and 2, traveling from the Uppal X Roads and Ramanthapur sides, are advised to enter through the LG Godown Checkpost and park in Parking Slots A & B inside the stadium. Similarly, car pass holders from the Uppal X Roads and Habsiguda sides should enter through the EK Minar Checkpost and park in Parking Slots A & B.

For those designated to park in E Parking, the entry is via the Build Brick Builders Open Area, leading to E Parking, which is located on the west side of the TGIIC-IALA Open Area. After parking, spectators should proceed to the stadium through Gate 7.

Physically challenged spectators with passes should enter from Ramanthapur road and park in B Parking, then access the stadium through Outer Gate No. 3 (Service Entry).

Traffic Diverting and Restrictions:

In order to manage the traffic flow and avoid congestion, several diversions and restrictions will be in place on match days:
• Vehicles coming from LB Nagar, Warangal, and other routes will be diverted to alternative roads to ease congestion.
• Heavy goods vehicles will not be allowed on roads leading to the stadium during match timings. They will be diverted as follows:
1. Vehicles from ECIL, Kushaiguda, Cherlapally towards Uppal X Roads will be diverted via Mallapur Bridge, Chengicherla X (Warangal route).
2. Vehicles from Chengicherla, Boduppal, Peerzadiguda towards Uppal X Roads will be diverted via HMDA Bhagyalatha Layout, Nagole, and LB Nagar.
3. Vehicles from LB Nagar towards Uppal X Roads will be diverted via Nagole U-turn, Uppal Bhagayath, Chengicherla, and Ghatkesar.
4. Vehicles from Tarnaka towards Uppal will be diverted via Habsiguda X Roads, Nacharam-IOCL, and Cherlapally.
5. Vehicles from Ramanthapur to Uppal X Roads will be diverted via Street No. 8, Habsiguda Metro Pillar No. 972, and Habsiguda X Roads.

Commuters traveling from LB Nagar to Ramanthapur and Habsiguda on their own vehicles (both 4-wheel and 2-wheel) are advised to take a diversion at Metro Pillar No. 808 before the Nagole U-turn. From there, they should proceed towards D Mart, Laxminarayana Colony, and Church Road, which are connected to roads leading to Ramanthapur and Street No. 8, and then to Habsiguda.

Additional Safety Measures:

To ensure immediate medical assistance, the number of ambulances available has been increased from 3 to 5. Four fire engines will be stationed for fire safety.

Authorities have also erected sufficient signage along key routes, including from Habsiguda to Uppal, LB Nagar to Uppal, Medipally to Uppal, and Ramanthapur to the stadium. These signs will guide spectators to the stadium and direct them to parking areas.
Strict monitoring of accreditation cards will be implemented, and any exchange or replacement of passes will not be allowed. Legal action will be taken against anyone violating these rules. Personnel engaged by sponsors or vendors will undergo thorough background checks before receiving passes, and no personnel changes will be permitted without proper authorization.