Mohali, the quiet industrial suburb of Chandigarh, looks like a war zone these days as it gears up to host the India-Pakistan semi-final.

With the Pakistani Prime Minister, Mr Yousuf Gilani, accepting his Indian counterpart's invitation to attend the match, the already tight security ring around the city has been reinforced.

More than 1,000 policemen have been called into action, according to Mr H.S Doon, Senior Superintendent of Chandigarh Police. The hotel where the two teams are put up have been turned into a virtual fortress.

Team members and visitors alike are being subjected to stringent checks every time they step in and out of the hotel.

Cricketers wishing to step out of the hotel would need to inform the police at least four hours in advance, according to the Chandigarh Police.

With the who's-who of the diplomatic and corporate worlds expected to attend the match, the Chandigarh cops' nervousness is understandable. Industry heavyweights Mr Vijay Mallya and Mr Mukesh Ambani are also likely to be attending the clash of the titans.

For ordinary mortals, it's going to be an expensive proposition to catch a glimpse of what could be Sachin Tendulkar's last World Cup match.

Fans may have to pay five to 10 times the original ticket price.

Expensive Tickets

Resellers are having a field day due to the ticket shortage. Reports from Chandigarh suggest that the going rate for Rs 500 and Rs 2,500 tickets have already touched Rs 3,500 and Rs 10,500 respectively.

There's no room in the hotels either. A ticket holder from Delhi said, “We have tried several hotels, even those 10-15 km away from the venue, but nothing (empty room) is available. We will go for the match and come back on the same day.”

With demand outstripping supply, airlines have hiked rates on the Delhi-Chandigarh route. Return tickets for the 30-minute flight on the day of the match are priced at Rs 7,500 on low-cost carriers. On-full service airlines like Air India and Kingfisher, the ticket prices are between Rs 16,000 and Rs 22,000.

According to a Delhi-based travel agent, business-class tickets are nearly sold out and economy class tickets are selling like hot cakes.

Contrast the current frenzy with the 1996 World Cup semi-final at Mohali where Australia was playing against the West Indies.

“There wasn't so much of a buzz the last time around. But then of course this is much more than a cricket match,” said a cricket enthusiast who witnessed the 1996 semi-final and is going for the 2011 semi-final.

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