Stamping out the possibility of a rampage at Auto Expo

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.

“Delhi is high on the list of sensitive areas for a terrorist attack. At such a gala event the chances are even higher. Hence, we decided not to compromise with security aspects this time around and even if it causes a little inconvenience while manually checking all hand baggage, it was deemed important to do so,” the official said. Besides this, two cameras have been put at each of the hangars.

The list of firsts does not end here. SIAM, ACMA and CII are using this Expo to highlight issues like road safety and safe driving techniques as well. Over the last four days, 250 truck drivers and 150 three-wheeler drivers have been given road safety training.

With a record number of visitors having already visited the Expo and Sunday — despite being the busiest day — passing off without an untoward incident, one can only say that the stampede managers have done their work well.