Lagatar24 Desk
Chennai: Chaos erupted in Chennai on Sunday after the grand air show, marking the 92nd anniversary of the Indian Air Force, left lakhs of people stranded without water and proper crowd control measures. Held at Marina Beach, the event saw poor coordination from traffic authorities, leading to widespread traffic congestion and discomfort for attendees.
The air show, which aimed to enter the Limca Book of World Records by gathering over 16 lakh people, commenced at 11 am and continued until 1 pm. However, thousands had gathered as early as 8 am under the intense heat, hoping to secure a good viewing spot. Elderly attendees were particularly affected, with several fainting due to heat exhaustion before the event even started.
Lack of Water and Traffic Blockade
In a move that worsened the situation, water vendors near the event site were removed, leaving attendees without access to drinking water. As the event concluded, the massive crowd tried to exit Marina Beach through Kamarajar Salai, resulting in a complete traffic blockade. Many people, exhausted by the heat and congestion, were forced to sit along the roadside to recover.
Public Outcry Over Poor Planning
Local residents stepped in to assist, offering drinking water to those stranded. Meanwhile, overwhelmed metro stations saw a surge of people attempting to find alternative routes home.
The aftermath of the event has led to widespread criticism, with many questioning the lack of planning and preparation for managing such a large crowd. Comparisons have been drawn to the cancellation of actor Vijay’s public meeting due to crowd concerns, leaving many baffled at the authorities’ failure to ensure adequate arrangements for the air show.
