World Cup: Chandigarh facing shortage of hotel accommodation

With all roads leading to Mohali near here for the high-voltage World Cup semi-final clash between India and Pakistan on March 30, the city is facing an acute shortage of accomodation for all those coming to be part of the mega event.

Almost all the city's big hotels and guest houses, having a capacity of about 2000 rooms, have already been booked while an unending stream of visitors is looking for a place to stay.

The administration has made foolproof arrangments for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Pakistani counterpart Yusuf Raza Gilani, who will be here to watch the match.

President Pratibha Patil has also expressed her desire to watch the match, adding to the responsibility of the administration and the security agencies to provide a safe and comfortable place for her.

The entourage and security staff of the two Prime Ministers and the President would require additional rooms for accomodating them, offficials here said.

Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi, his sister Priyanka Vadra and her husband Robert Vadra are also likely to attend the event.

Various Chief Ministers and Union Ministers are also reportedly interested in watching the "mother of all battles."

They are looking for accomodation in top hotels or government guest houses. The top hotels in the city such as the Taj and the state-run Mountview Hotel are already completely booked. The Indian and Pakistani teams are staying at the Taj Hotel. The officials of the International Cricket Council (ICC), the Board for Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) and other match officials are lodged in these two hotels.

Some Bollywood celebrities and corporate leaders are also vying for proper accomodation in the city. Besides, about 5000 cricket buffs are expected to come from Pakistan.

NNN