Indian Premier League chairman Lalit Modi on Tuesday assured all players taking part in the upcoming Twenty20 tournament that they would be provided the tightest security available.
His assurance comes in wake of the attack on the Sri Lanka cricket team's bus by around a dozen gunmen earlier in the morning as it was on its way to the Gadaffi stadium in Lahore to resume play on Day 3 of the second Test against Pakistan.
Modi, however, made it clear that the security situation in India is much better, and despite the Mumbai terror attacks last year it is safe to play cricket in the country.
"India is a very safe country. We also had our share of attacks in the past, but let me assure everyone that we will leave no stone unturned as far as the security for the IPL is concerned," Modi told NDTV.
The IPL is scheduled to be played from April 10 to May 24.
"We will be having extremely tight security measures for the tournament. In fact, we have put these measures into place after the Mumbai attacks. Let me assure everyone that security is the top most priority for us," he added.
He revealed that his security team will also focus on disaster management.
"This year we will be trying something new in terms of security. We will be having a disaster management team that can get a stadium empty within seven minutes. We have been working on that plan from last year and we have appointed an agency that is working on it."
Modi reiterated that the attack on Sri Lankan team will have no bearing whatsoever on the IPL.
"There will be no change in plans as far as going ahead with the IPL is concerned. Of course, there will be some date changes based on the election dates. But we will be going forward on schedule and will get our first match underway on April 10."
