As the participants at 11th Auto Expo show their dissatisfaction over lack of effective mechanism to manage the huge crowd, Indian Trade Promotions Organisation (ITPO) has raised an accusing finger at Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). ITPO said that the industry body, CII, has invited problems by providing unlimited free passes to the visitors. On the other hand, CII said exhibitors worsened the situation during 'Media Days' as they distributed free passes without taking into account the crowd management aspect.
"That is something that you must question the CII (on) because there is absolutely no guest from the part of the government of India or the ITPO," ITPO Chairperson and Managing Director, Rita Menon told the media. She added that ITPO has been working jointly with CII for ticket sales and emphasised on the fact that there is complete absence of proper queues.
"It is as smooth as possible during business hours and after. If there have been any bust-ups on Saturday and Sunday or the two days prior to that, which were to be Media Days, I would suggest you ask the three people in-charge of CII," Menon said. When asked about the mismanagement, CII Auto Expo Steering Committee Chairman Rajive Kaul took the blame game forward by putting the exhibitors in the line of fire for giving free passes to each and every person.
"We give out thousands of passes to the exhibitors. When we give these passes, then we don't control it, they control it. We don't know who they are giving it to or when they are giving it to. They are exhibitors, whoever they want to come, they give it to them," Kaul said. Major companies like Tata Motors, which has the largest pavilion at the Expo, have been provided with around 7,000 passes, whereas Mahindra & Mahindra was offered 5,000 passes, he added.
Even as he conceded the fact that proper management at Auto Expo is CII's responsibility, Kaul said that ITPO can act more concerned by promoting an infrastructure that matches world-class levels. The infrastructure in the form of roads, halls and public convenience must be class apart. ITPO is working upon shaping these into world-class facilities phase-by-phase. Kaul said that the organisers are confident of having high-end infrastructural facilities in the coming years.
Coming out with a possible solution to the present problem, Kaul said that during the next Auto Expo, no passes will be issued for the media day whatsoever. The invitations would be meant only for exhibitors and press.
If ITPO and CII are to be believed, in totality, one lac visitors made their way during the first two days of Auto Expo 2012 at Pragati Maidan. Key personalities like Anand Mahindra have expressed their concern regarding poor management at the venue. They lashed out at the organisers saying that the week-long event, having more 50 global participants, is a "serious business" and not a street play.
Thus, it is necessary to pay heed to each and every factor that is a part of the Auto Expo, in order to keep negative publicity at bay.
