Projectors run out amid T20 World Cup final frenzy:Theatres to screen IND vs NZ big match; public transport services also extended

On March 8, 2026 (Sunday), Ahmedabad has turned completely cricket-centric for the T20 World Cup final between India and New Zealand at Narendra Modi Stadium. A festive, carnival-like atmosphere has taken over the entire city. Flight fares have surged three to four times, while four superfast special trains will run between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to manage the rush of fans. With celebrities and dignitaries expected to attend, the city will also witness heavy VVIP movement. The cricket craze is so intense that special arrangements have been made at multiplexes, cinema halls and cafés across Ahmedabad to screen the match. The demand for group screenings has been so high that the city is even facing a shortage of projectors. Before the high-voltage clash, a grand closing ceremony has been planned, promising a spectacular experience for spectators. Global pop star Ricky Martin will perform in Ahmedabad for the first time, while Gujarat’s Garba queen Falguni Pathak and Punjabi singer Sukhbir Singh will add to the excitement with their performances. The tournament will conclude with a dazzling laser show and cultural performances in front of an estimated 1.25 lakh spectators, turning the final into a truly grand celebration of cricket. Barricades 100 metres before Gate No. 1; entry from designated point To prevent overcrowding near Gate No. 1 of Narendra Modi Stadium, barricades will be placed 100 metres before the gate, and spectators will be allowed to enter from there. A special control room has been set up inside the stadium to monitor the crowd, where officials will keep watch through 270 CCTV cameras. Additionally, four bomb squads and an NDRF team will be deployed at the stadium. With more than 1 lakh spectators and several VIPs expected, tight security arrangements have been made both inside and outside the venue. 55 fire officers on standby with eight fire vehicles The fire department has also made extensive arrangements. One fire vehicle will be stationed at each of the four stadium gates, while additional fire tenders will remain in the parking areas. In total, 55 fire officers and staff will remain on standby inside the stadium. The department has conducted a fire safety certificate audit ahead of the match and trained staff to respond in case of emergencies. Fire extinguishers, hydrant points and water sprinklers have been installed across the stadium to tackle electrical or fire-related incidents. Janpath T–Motera Village Road closed from 10 AM Due to the match, the road from Janpath T to the Motera Stadium main gate (from Krupa Residency to Motera village) will remain closed for vehicular movement from 10 AM to 2 AM. Motorists can take alternative routes via Tapovan Circle–Visat–Janpath–Power House–Prabodh Raval Circle, or from Krupa Residency to Bhat Koteshwar Road via Apollo Circle. A total of 800 traffic personnel, including one JCP Traffic, three DCPs, inspectors and sub-inspectors, will be deployed to manage traffic. Parking booking through ‘Show My Parking’ app With more than one lakh fans expected at the stadium, authorities have designated multiple parking locations around the venue. Spectators arriving in their own vehicles will have to book parking through the “Show My Parking” mobile app, after which they can park at the allotted location. Parking can also be booked through website Thousands of cricket fans are arriving in Ahmedabad from across India and abroad. To ensure smooth traffic movement and avoid parking chaos, the Show My Parking system has introduced a well-organised digital parking system using modern technology. Spectators can book parking either by downloading the Show My Parking app or by booking directly through the official website. Parking space for 5,000 vehicles Authorities have designated eight different parking locations around the stadium. These include six parking spots for four-wheelers and four for two-wheelers. In total, space has been arranged for 5,000 vehicles, including 2,000 four-wheelers and 3,000 two-wheelers. Metro will be the easiest way to reach the stadium Narendra Modi Stadium, the world’s largest cricket stadium, is witnessing massive enthusiasm for the World Cup final. However, reaching the venue by personal vehicle may require walking 1–2 kilometres due to traffic restrictions. Taking the metro will be the easiest and quickest option, as the Motera Metro Station is located just about 100 metres from the stadium. Metro services extended till 12:30 AM To manage the rush after the match ends, metro services will operate until 12:30 AM. Special trains will run from Motera Stadium to APMC between 10 PM and 12:30 AM. Services from Old High Court interchange towards Vastral Village and Thaltej Village will also run until 12:50 AM. For passengers travelling towards Gandhinagar, two additional trains will run from Motera Stadium to Mahatma Mandir at 11:40 PM and 12:10 AM. Spectators can also buy advance metro tickets for ₹50. Metro routes to reach Motera Stadium Fans coming from the eastern parts of Ahmedabad can take the metro from Vastral to Thaltej to reach the stadium. Those coming from the western areas can board the metro from Thaltej to Vastral, or travel on the Vasna APMC–Motera Stadium corridor. Will need to board train going to Motera
To reach Narendra Modi Stadium at Motera from the eastern area by taking the metro train from Vastral to Thaltej, you will need to change trains at Income Tax metro station. You will have to board the train going towards Motera Stadium from Income Tax metro station. If you want to come from SG Highway, Bopal, Bodakdev, Helmet Crossroads, Memnagar, Anandnagar, Prahlad Nagar, you will need to board the Thaltej metro train and change trains at Income Tax station to board the train going towards Motera. Train change required at Income Tax station
If you want to go to Motera Stadium from Sarkhej, Vejalpur, Vasana, Paldi, Navrangpura, you can directly reach the stadium by taking the metro train going to Motera Stadium. However, if you are coming from the eastern area and SG Highway area, you will need to change trains at Income Tax station and board the train going to Motera Stadium to reach your destination. Western Railway will run four more superfast special trains keeping in mind the final match
Western Railway has announced to run four more superfast special trains keeping in mind the final match in Ahmedabad. These trains will run between Bandra Terminus-Ahmedabad, Ahmedabad-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus and Ahmedabad-Pune with special fares. AC superfast special will run between Bandra Terminus-Ahmedabad. Ahmedabad-Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus superfast AC special, Ahmedabad-Pune superfast will also run. Advance booking will start from March 7 at all reservation counters, IRCTC. 4 additional AC coaches to be added in Ahmedabad-Mumbai Tejas Special
One Second AC and 3 Third AC coaches will be added to Mumbai Central-Ahmedabad AC Superfast Tejas Special train. Addition of these 4 new coaches will increase train capacity by 268 seats. With this new arrangement, the train will depart from Mumbai Central on March 7 and from Ahmedabad on March 9.