Thaindian News

New Delhi, Jan 6 (IANS) Chaos seemed to reign at the Auto Expo Friday as thousands of visitors thronged auto exhibitors’ stalls at the Pragati Maidan, completely overrunning the venue, and causing many exhibitors to fret over the shoddy management.

The first two days which are kept as the official business and media interaction days saw press personnel and exhibitors being physically harassed by thousands of freeloaders.

“There is no discipline here. We do not know from where did all these people in their thousands come in from. Imagine what will happen when the expo is opened for the public,” one of the many exhibitors at the mega event told IANS.

“More chaos, sleepless nights are in store for the exhibitors, managers and security personnel due to the shoddy management coupled with the unruly crowd,” he added.

“The purpose of the first two days is completely defeated. We wanted the interactions to go on smoothly between media and the company officials.”

The public days for the event opens from Jan 7, when around 100,000 visitors are expected at Pragati Maidan.

Trudging from hall to hall in search for free media kits and a chance to see Bollywood stars who are invited either to launch or unveil vehicles, the crowds have on occasion completely overrun the venue making the life of event managers, media persons and exhibitors tough.

“It seems that even the media centre has been completely occupied by the general public,” an official from the organising committee said on condition of anonymity.

“We have not given free passes. The tickets to the event are only from Jan 7-to-Jan 11.”

The official seemed to be unaware that thousands have entered the premises with passes that clearly state– ‘Special Invitees’ for Jan 5 and Jan 6.

Moreover, senior executives of multi-national companies (MNCs) were seen embarrassed when school kids ask them for freebies, calling them — ‘uncles and aunties.’

The 11th edition of the Auto Expo will conclude Jan 11. The event at the sprawling Pragati Maidan exposition grounds promises a slew of launches and first-time exhibits of vehicles in virtually every segment and hopes to draw some 500,000 footfalls, the organisers said.

Held every two years, the event is being co-hosted by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) and Automotive Component Manufacturers Association (ACMA).