Police Warns of Stampede, Utter Chaos at Sri Sri’s Culture Fest

The stage, where the PM and VVIPs are to be seated, lacks a structural stability certificate: Delhi Police

Army personnel construct temporary bridges over Yamuna river for the three-day World Peace Festival organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar (Photo: PTI)

Delhi police have warned of “stampede”, “pandemonium” and “utter chaos” unless shortcomings in the arena for the World Culture Festival – being organised by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s Art of Living Foundation on the Yamuna floodplains – are attended to immediately, reports The Indian Express.

After inspecting the venue with organisers, police in a letter to the Ministry of Urban Development said the stage, where the Prime Minister and several VVIPs are to be seated, lacks a structural stability certificate.

It warned of the possibility of “utter chaos leading to total breakdown of law and order”.

The Central Public Works Department, Delhi government and Delhi Development Authority granted permission for the event, but have refused to give the festival stage the mandatory structural stability certificate.

Police wrote to the Ministry

On Tuesday, the Centre also issued an advisory to police, asking them to take adequate measures to prevent any stampede-like situation at the festival venue.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to inaugurate the festival, which the foundation claims will be attended by 3.5 million people.

President Pranab Mukherjee announced on Monday that he will not attend the festival due to unavoidable circumstances.

The Prime Minister’s security wing of Delhi Police had taken up the matter with the CPWD to give structural stability certificate, but they have refused to give them the certificate, saying they should take up the matter with the Delhi PWD or DDA for such certification. But it has been learnt that even the Delhi PWD and DDA are not willing to give any kind of certification to them.

Police told <i>The Indian Express</i>

Read the full report here.

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