Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) is yet to receive clearance from Bengaluru police to stage the next Maharaja T20 at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The tournament is to be conducted between August 11 and 27, but the venue hangs in the balance with safety a concern. Stampede Tragedy Holds Up Clearance The police clearance delay is attributed to the fateful stampede that occurred on June 4 outside the Chinnaswamy Stadium when Royal Challengers Bengaluru celebrated their IPL championship win. The stampede resulted in 11 fatalities and more than 50 injuries. An investigation by the CID into the accident is still in progress, and it is this that has made the authorities exercise caution. For any contingencies, the KSCA had already declared on July 11 that the Maharaja T20 would be played without spectators in the stands. Now, with time ticking away, they are considering alternative grounds. The two possibilities being discussed are — the KSCA's own ground at Alur and the Wadeyar Ground at Mysuru. The Alur ground has decent drainage and minimum infrastructure but no floodlights and decent spectator seating, which makes it difficult for teams and broadcasters. In contrast, the Maharani T20 women's matches that will commence on August 4 will be played at Alur. The KSCA had aspired to stage the women's final at Chinnaswamy, but that now appears unlikely. Also Read | RCB, KSCA Asked to Explain Tragic Bengaluru Stampede Financial Concerns for Franchises The uncertainty is causing frustration among the franchises. They have already booked hotels and made arrangements for the whole tournament to take place in Bengaluru. A venue change at this juncture will result in financial losses. Placed on top of this pressure is the fact that the same stadium will host India and Sri Lanka in the opening match of the Women's ODI World Cup on September 30. It is also the suggested ground for a semi-final and possibly the final of the World Cup. The government-appointed one-man committee that inquired into the June stampede has termed Chinnaswamy "unsafe" for big events. It suggested that big matches are shifted to safer grounds. Also, the Duleep Trophy, which opens India's domestic season, will now be played fully at the BCCI Centre of Excellence rather than having the final at Chinnaswamy, which was previously scheduled. The KSCA is now racing against time to sort things out and come up with a safe, workable solution.