All lines to Mohali are busy

The likely presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart has lent the event greater dignity.

The whos-who of the Punjab government and all those who matter in Chandigarh are running for cover from cricket obsessed seekers of tickets and passes from all across the world. With the high-stakes match between Indian and Pakistan slated for March 30 at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium in Mohali,anyone and everyone wants to be there to watch the event live.

The likely presence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistan counterpart has lent the event greater dignity. Cricket buffs are willing to go to any extent to procure a pass or a ticket and there are reports about unprecedented black-marketing of tickets.

Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal,who is also the chairman of the Organising Committee of the PCA, says he has been flooded with calls from India,Canada and of course Pakistan. Several ministers and MLAs from Pakistan want to come and see the match. I have got calls from Bollywood actors,too. It is a matter of pride for the state but I wish I could accommodate everyone, said Sukhbir.

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Punjab Governor Shivraj Patils office,too,had a busy day today receiving requests for watching the match. His counterpart in Pakistans Punjab,Latif Khosa,wants to attend the match with an entourage of 10 persons. Patils office says the request has been forwarded to the Union Ministry of External Affairs for approval.

Nikhil Kumar,the Governor of Nagaland,has informed the Punjab Governor that he will be reaching on March 29. Apparently,he has already made his seating arrangements in the stadium.

Dr Iqbal Singh,Lt. Governor of Puducherry,too,wants to be here and is expecting the Punjab Governor to organise his seating. Gurbachan Jagat,the Manipur Governor,too,has sent in a similar request. Another request has come from Dr SS Sidhu,Governor of Goa.

While most VVIPs are expected to be accommodated,hundreds would,however,have to return disappointed. Those who lined up for tickets outside the stadium yesterday were told that tickets for the 28,000-capacity stadium were sold out.

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The PCA,headed by former bureaucrat IS Bindra,is likely to distribute several VIP passes to Punjab government officials,especially those involved in organising the match. People I have not heard from for years have somehow managed to get my mobile number and are calling up for tickets. My phone has gone haywire since the night India won the match from Australia, said Vishwajeet Khanna,an IAS officer involved in organising the match at the PCA.