Stampede-like situation at ticket counters as OCA, admin lose plot

A stampede-like situation broke out and many lost consciousness as thousands of cricket enthusiasts got in the queue in front of Barabati Stadium on Wednesday to buy tickets for the second ODI between India and England.

- Asish Mehta/Tanmay Das @Bhubaneswar/Cuttack

One person needed hospitalization.

Cricket lovers had a terrible time - drinking water facility was not made available despite a huge turnout - as ticket buyers alleged poor planning and arrangements by the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) as well as Cuttack city administration.

The fans said absence of proper exit routes further worsened the situation and left them exhausted even as the mercury levels soared to 31.8 degrees Celsius.

People from various districts had arrived in Cuttack from Tuesday evening onwards in a bid to buy tickets from the counters.

"Some people lost consciousness due to the mad rush and lack of basic amenities. We have been standing here since the last 14 hours and there is no drinking water provision," alleged a ticket buyer. A native of Baripada said he arrived at 3 am and such was the rush that he was not able to come out of the queue to even get some food.