The blockbuster clash during the 50-overs World Cup is certainly not the final. It’s actually on October 14 when arch-rivals India and Pakistan lock horns. Imagine the frenzy if the two meet in the final, but for now, let’s focus on October 14 for this high-octane encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Understandably, the tariff for hotels in Ahmedabad during this period has shot through the roof. Vibes of India has regularly highlighted in this space how desperate fans went to the extent of booking beds in Ahmedabad hospitals.
Now, according to a report, even halls for weddings and social gatherings are in high demand. A case in point is the Tera Panth Community Hall in the Shahibaug area. Twenty-two of the 28 available rooms are being readied to accommodate fans.
“The room tariffs are up to Rs 1,500 for the single occupancy. We have started receiving inquiries, but we have asked the callers to confirm bookings a week in advance,” Abhay Pratap Singh, the manager of the facility told a national daily.
Estimates by the Federation of Hotels and Restaurants Association (FHRA), Gujarat hint that roughly 30,000 to 40,000 people are expected to attend the match, including cricket fans from India and abroad in addition to sponsors, officials of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, media persons, teams and other VVIPs.
At Oswal Bhavan, administrator Manekchand Jain revealed that all 20 rooms were reserved by community members. The numbers are astonishing. Even the base category rooms from October 13-15 at five-star hotels are available for as high as Rs 80,000 per room per night.
“Most of the rooms in five-star hotels are booked. Even rooms in budget hotels are available at a significantly higher cost. Therefore, many people are opening up homestays as well as other avenues to accommodate guests,” Narendra Somani, president, FHRA, Gujarat, told the paper.
What’s more, the report outlined, that several universities are getting enquiries for one- or two-day stays.
