Metro Rail project forces Ramlila to be staged on cricket pitches at Azad Maidan

The famous Ramilal will take place in Mumbai for two weeks at the Azad Maidan during upcoming Navratri celebrations. The local authorities have told the club that three of the six pitches at the 109-year old vintage Fort Vijay Club will be used. And the fact that three clubs will be affected by Dussehra celebrations.

Moreover, the Metro Rail project which has affected the cricket field in a massive manner, has now forced the festival organisers to shift towards the playing area of the ground. The event will take place from 7 pm to 10 pm, and it has been said that the stages will be built near the playing pitches.

Event affecting the pitch

“I was told that Ramlila will take place from 7 pm to 10 pm. They will build a stage near the pitches. More than 2000 people will turn up to see Ramlila during Dussehra. If Ramlila takes place here it will have affect three clubs. The authorities have told us that we will remove chairs in the night but who will make sure that pitches don’t get spoiled,” Fort Vijay CC secretary Jayant Zaveri told The Indian Express. Fort Vijay, incidentally, is the club that the late Vijay Merchant, the legendary Indian batsman, used to turn out for, during his playing days.

Concern for cricketers

“Morcha took place last month and it spoiled our pitches and now this will happen. Where shall cricketers go? Mumbai is famous because of its cricket. There is Bombay Gymkhana next to us, hardly any cricketing activities happen there. Authorities can take Ramlila and morchas there,” Jhaveri added.

The Azad Maidan has to face the brunt of the Metro Rail Project, as 16 of the 22 pitches have been affected. Jhaveri also said that no one is taking a note of the damage these pitches are facing.