In response to the recent collapse of a box cricket structure in Surat due to heavy rains and strong winds, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has introduced a draft policy to regulate box cricket and net-covered sports facilities across the city.
Key Highlights of the Proposed Policy:
- License Fee & Approval:
A one-time license fee will be charged for setting up box cricket and other net-covered sports activities like pickleball. Only plots on roads with a minimum width of 12 meters will be eligible for approval. - Fee Structure:
- Existing approved setups must reapply within 30 days of the release of the SOP and pay ₹100 per sq m.
- Unauthorized or unapproved structures will be charged ₹200 per sq m.
- A proposed 5% increase in license fees every three years has also been suggested.
- Operator Responsibilities:
- Proper traffic management around the premises.
- Deployment of security guards.
- Installation of CCTV cameras as per police guidelines.
- Compliance with safety standards—non-compliance may lead to license cancellation by the municipal commissioner.
Structural Guidelines:
- Minimum plot area required: 500 sq m.
- Maximum structure height: 12 meters.
- Margins: 6-meter front margin from the road and 3-meter side margins.
- At least 50% of the plot must be dedicated to parking.
- Structures must be surrounded by 3-meter-high metal barricades.
- Each net-covered structure must have at least one entry and one exit on each side.
- Adequate open space around structures must be maintained.
Currently, many open plots near S.G. Highway and S.P. Ring Road are being enclosed with iron nets and converted into commercial cricket boxes, where users pay up to ₹2,000 per session. Until now, there were no formal rules regulating these facilities.
The proposed policy aims to bring these setups under regulation, ensuring safety, order, and accountability.