The Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan will arrive in a new avatar from its usual appearance, as the West Bengal government has made several renovations ahead of the marquee clash between India and Brazil.
India will face five-time FIFA World Cup champions Brazil in a historic international friendly at the Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan (VYBK), Kolkata, on Saturday, October 3.
It will be the first senior men’s international meeting between the two nations. Brazil, featuring stars such as Vinicius Junior and Raphinha, arrive as the world’s fifth-ranked side, while India will look to make the occasion count under head coach Khalid Jamil.
The high-profile fixture has also triggered a major upgrade of the iconic Salt Lake Stadium, with the West Bengal government undertaking several infrastructure and matchday improvements.
What has changed at VYBK?
The stadium’s galleries have been repainted, while damaged seats have been repaired and numbered to improve spectator management. New and widened entry gates are being created to handle the expected crowd, while toilets and other public facilities are undergoing repairs. Food stalls are also being added in gallery lobbies.
The playing surface has received particular attention. A Brazilian turf expert, Ivan Nascimento, worked with the local grounds team for almost a month to restore the pitch and bring it closer to international standards.
Official government works also include improvement of floodlighting, installation of new FIFA-standard player and technical dugouts, and repairs to gallery flooring. Sanitary and plumbing fittings in VIP/VVIP areas, dressing rooms and competition areas have also been taken up.
Fans get to quench their Thirst for Free
A piece of news that must have come as a relief to the fans, the WB government has also installed several water kiosk at the stadium, where the fans can drink water without any pocket pinch. In the past, several mismanagements regarding drinking water – like astronomical prices, lack of drinkable water, distressed many, but it won’t happen this time around. Apart from that, the fans can buy snacks and other food items at the designated areas of the stadium.
LED Screens Installed
Apart from that, there are two new LED screens at the stadium, at either end of the pitch. These screens will regularly show the replays of the match so the fans can get a glimpse of the action they may have missed on the ground itself.
For the Brazil game, temporary audio/public-address systems and live-feed infrastructure have additionally been arranged, while security and crowd-management measures have been strengthened.
Tight Security in Kolkata
Besides that, the government in West Bengal has also taken strict measures to tighten the security across the ground. Over 2,500 police personnel have been deployed, while around 20 commissionerate-level personnel shall also be present at the event.
The makeover is therefore not limited to the pitch. From entrances and seating to floodlights, player facilities and matchday technology, the preparations are aimed at making VYBK ready for one of the biggest football nights Kolkata has hosted.