Almost 1.5 million people are expected to visit the Auto Expo this year, and for each one of them the Tata Nano has become the fair’s focal point. Controlling such frenzy is by no means an easy task, but the fair’s organisers have for the first time pressed into service special squads that are experts in preventing stampedes.

Along with the usual police personnel, there are 30 seven-member teams made up of crowd management experts. The teams have been provided by Group 4 Security Systems, who are also in charge of the overall security at the venue. The teams have been dispersed at all the stalls that are attracting huge crowds, in particular the Tata stall.

“These teams are controlling the inlet and outflow of people. They also maintain gaps between people so that the chance of a stampede is minimised,” said a Society for Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) official. “The hall directors and secretariat have also been specially trained in crowd management.”

Besides this, around 1,000 private security guards have also been hired. Further, for the first time, Asia’s largest closed-circuit television cameras (CCTVs) have been installed at 46 places at the venue.

While the Nano is rumoured to have received Z-level security before its launch, security for the Expo itself has been tightened to avert any possibility of a terrorist attack. Some of these measures include bar coded cards for press persons and special invites so that no duplicate cards can be issued. CCTVs at the venue have also been increased and baggage is manually checked at all entry points.

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