Thanks to the sky-high prices of the hotel rooms in Ahmedabad for the upcoming India v Pakistan and other World Cup 2023 matches in the city, the fans have found out a novel way to beat the rush and have begun booking hospital rooms for much cheaper prices.
The World Cup 2023 will begin on October 5 with New Zealand and England clashing in the tournament opener in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi stadium. The largest cricket stadium in the world will also host the final of the World Cup on November 19.
But the biggest match of the World Cup will be played on October 15 when India will clash with arch-rivals Pakistan in Ahmedabad.
This has made the hotel room rates in the city sky rocket and this has made cricket fans reportedly ask the hospitals nearby the stadium for rooms to stay for one or two nights in the facility.
The cost of a room at these facilities can range from Rs 3,000 to Rs 25,000 for a 24-hour stay, which typically includes food as well as the cost of a medical exam. These rooms are on a twin-sharing basis for patients and an attendant to sleep in.
This is a relatively cheaper option for fans than staying at hotels where the prices have increased by up to 100 percent.
Speaking about the issue, the director of Sannidhya Multi Speciality Hospital in the Bopal area, Dr. Paras Shah, stated to Ahmedabad Mirror: “Since it’s a hospital they are asking for a full-body check-up and an overnight stay so both of their purposes are fulfilled, saving money on lodging and getting their health check done.”
"These people are ready for any, from deluxe to suite room, whatever is offered to them. Since we have limited rooms, we are being judicious in taking such bookings from NRIs because our priority is patient care.
I have inquiries from my friends from the USA to stay in my hospital as I have both special and general rooms. They aim to watch the Indo-Pak match and also take advantage of the medical facilities, since they want to stay in the hospital, and not at my home,” Dr. Shah added.
Medical superintendents of other hospitals have also stated that they have received similar requests from fans across the country and even overseas.
“We too are getting inquiries for 24-48 hours stays in our hospital, particularly around October 15, as we also have a full body check-up package. This is due to the upcoming World Cup India-Pakistan match that is scheduled for October 15. Like at our hospitals, the situation seems the same in other city hospitals too. So, we are thinking about coming out with other health packages,” Medical director of Sterling Hospitals, Dr Nikhil Lala said.
Reports stated that hotel room prices in Ahmedabad had become 20 times more on October 15 with costs exceeding Rs 59,000. ITC's Welcome Hotel in Ahmedabad was charging Rs 72,000 on that date.
Also reportedly, there were no rooms available in several other hotels such as TC Narmada and Courtyard by Marriott in the city on October 15.
(Ahmedabad Mirror inputs)
