The Pune stadium management ran out of drinking water for thousands of fans.
While the Indian team performed exceptionally well on day one of the ongoing second Test against New Zealand, the fans who had come to support them at the MCA Stadium in Pune didn’t have the same experience.
Social media platform X (formerly Twitter) was filled with pleas for help as the stadium had run out of drinking water and vendors were making merry selling small bottles of water for exorbitant prices.
A delay in the distribution of packaged water bottles caused mayhem at the MCA Stadium during India's second Test against New Zealand on Thursday, prompting some spectators to yell slogans against the host association, which later apologized for the lapse.
The event, which began Thursday morning, drew an audience of over 18,000. With much of the seating at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium exposed to the sun, spectators hurried to the water stations following the first session, only to find that there was no water at the booths.
One user posted, "NO WATER in the MCA Stadium at Pune. That too in October when there's scorching HEAT. What's the point of boasting about stadiums when fans can't get basic facilities? SHAME!"
Another fan posted, "Look at the richest board of cricket who can't provide basic facilities in the stadium. fans are protesting against not having sufficient drinking water facilities in the MCA stadium. #INDvNZ.”
As the crowd grew increasingly frustrated at the booths, they began to voice their discontent towards the MCA. In response, security personnel started distributing packaged water bottles to help alleviate the situation.
MCA secretary Kamlesh Pisal later addressed the media, saying, "Our sincere apologies to all the fans for the inconvenience caused. We will ensure things will be alright going forward. We have already addressed the water issue."
"This time we (have) decided to provide the spectators with chilled drinking water and there were some sort of logistical issues as some of the stalls ran out of water during the lunch break owing to heavy rush. It took us 15 to 20 minutes to refill the water containers and since it was delayed, we decided to offer them free bottled water," he added.
The event occurred in the stadium's Hill End, near the media and commentator areas. The issue was eventually stabilized.
It was later found that the problem stemmed from a delay in the arrival of water delivery vehicles, which were apparently stopped in heavy traffic during the morning rush near the stadium, which is located on the outskirts of the city.
(Times of India inputs)