Ahmedabad: With box cricket and pickleball gaining popularity across Gujarat—particularly in urban areas like Ahmedabad and Surat—the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has become the first civic body in the state to draft a policy regulating such activities. The move follows growing safety concerns and the absence of standardized rules, especially after a box cricket structure in Surat’s Katargam area collapsed during heavy rain and strong winds.

AMC’s town planning department has prepared a draft policy covering box cricket, pickleball, and similar net-covered sports setups. The draft invites public objections and suggestions before it is reviewed by AMC’s standing committee. Once approved, the policy will be forwarded to the state government for final ratification.

“No temporary sports setup will be allowed without AMC’s approval going forward,” an AMC official said. Additional approvals will be required from the police, fire services, and the airport authority, wherever applicable.

Key rules proposed under the new AMC draft policy:

• Permanent structures are prohibited; only temporary net-covered setups are allowed, with a maximum height of 12 meters.

• Only plots larger than 500 sq. meters will be eligible.

• At least 50% of the total area must be allocated for parking.

• A licensed structural engineer must be appointed.

• NOCs from the police, fire department, and airport authority (if relevant) are mandatory.

• A 3-meter-high safety net must be installed around the venue.

• Each facility must have two entry and two exit gates, each at least 4 feet wide.

• A licence fee of ₹100 per sq. meter of plot area must be paid.

• Applications for new setups must be submitted within 30 days of the policy’s approval. Existing venues must comply within the same period.

• After 30 days, the licence fee will double to ₹200 per sq. meter.

• The licence fee will increase by 5% every three years.

• One stall for storing sports equipment will be allowed per structure.

• Only non-agricultural land will be permitted for temporary box cricket operations.

• Unauthorized structures will face penalties.

Box cricket has evolved into a lucrative business in cities like Ahmedabad, with players paying ₹1,000–₹2,000 per hour. These metal mesh-enclosed pitches—often located on open plots near highways or residential areas—now frequently feature permanent roofing to enable play during the monsoon.

The lack of structural checks had raised serious safety concerns, particularly after the Surat roof collapse incident that left one person injured. In response, AMC began drafting this comprehensive regulatory framework.

Infrastructure norms for sports boxes:

• Minimum road width: 12 meters

• Minimum plot area: 500 sq. meters

• Maximum height: 12 meters

• Side margin: minimum 3 meters; roadside margin: 6 meters

• Only net-covered, non-permanent structures permitted

• At least one entry and exit point on each side (minimum size: 2.20 m x 1.20 m)

• Toilets and urinals required for every 100 sq. meters

• Clearly marked signage for entry, exit, restrooms, fire equipment, etc.

• CCTV surveillance and control room setup as per police guidelines

AMC aims to bring uniformity, transparency, and enhanced safety to the rapidly growing trend of recreational cricket in urban Gujarat. Once finalized, this will become the first official SOP for net-covered recreational sports zones in the state. DeshGujarat