Bangalore: Chinnaswamy Stadium Becomes The First Cricket Stadium In The World To Install SubAir System

The M Chinnaswamy stadium is all set to receive an upgrade in its infrastructure with the installion of the SubAir subsurface aeration and the state-of-art vacuum powered drainage system. This is the newest innovation that the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is bringing to cricket as the Chinnaswamy will be the first cricket stadium in the world to house this infrastructure.

The technology will help in preventing water logging in the outfield and will also help in draining the water 36 times faster than the prevalent normal systems. Consequently, the matches can be quickly resumed after any interruption due to rainfall. The project will cost Rs 4.25 crore, but it is well worth it.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Anil Kumar, who is the MD of Great Sports Infra, the marketing arm of SubAir, USA, said, “It is a matter of pride that KSCA is showing the world how to make use of technology in cricket infrastructure.

“The SubAir system automatically kicks into action the minute it starts raining, thereby not allowing any build up of water on the out field. Water begins to get sucked out at the rate of over 10,000 litres a minute from the moment it begins to rain. The suction system gets activated through signals from the remote sensors embedded in the field.”

The system is capable of pumping in oxygen required for aeration of the roots which in turn ensures that the grass will stay healthy. Thus, by preventing turf diseases, excessive thatch, algae and black layer, it will help in maintaining a much better playing field. In addition to this, the technology also includes an inbuilt sprinkler system for watering.

One of the many pros of this modern technology is that it will optimise the use of water required for the turf. Hoever, KSCA will have to spend Rs 7 lakh annualy for maintenance of the drainage system.

Vinay Mruthunjaya, spokesperson of the KSCA, said, “This technology makes tremendous economic and financial sense and many games will be saved in the future.”

KSCA vice-president Sanjay Desai said, “Fan experience is our primary objective. There is a risk of losing Rs 80-100 crore when a game gets washed out. We believe we have addressed this challenge.”

Although this is the first cricket stadium in the world to house this technology, other stadiums like the Wembley (London, UK), Etihad Stadium (Manchester, UK), Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, and several others have installed the SubAir technology already. The system was also used for the football World Cup in Brazil in 2014.