Entry closed for an hour due to overcrowding

The most important event in the Capital’s calendar, the India International Trade Fair, was thrown open to general public on Saturday and much to the expectation, Delhiites responded with full enthusiasm.

The most important event in the Capital’s calendar, the India International Trade Fair, was thrown open to general public on Saturday and much to the expectation, Delhiites responded with full enthusiasm.

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Around 95,000 visitors flocked the fair. Looking at the unexpected crowd, entry gates were shut in the afternoon for an hour. “Tickets at the Metro stations were sold off by the afternoon and looking at the crowd at gate number 10, the entry was closed at 2pm for sometime to manage the crowd,” said Vikram Sehgal, GM, Security, ITPO.

On the first day, around 90,000 tickets were sold. “At Metro stations, all the 65,000 tickets given to them were sold off by 1:30pm and around 25,000 tickets were sold at the ITPO counters and inside Hoho buses,” said a ITPO official.

To avoid any untoward incident, entry points to the fair have been increased. "The entry points have been increased to 45 from 39 and the number of scanners gave also been increased for swift security clearance," added Sehgal.

The 14-day-long event is expected to draw 15 lakh visitors. The sale of tickets at Metro stations and ITPO counters may close much before the given time in coming days.

For the first time, mine sweeping team along with bomb disposal squad have been stationed at the venue “The police force at the venue has also been increased to 4,000 to manage and assist the crowds. With them, 600 ITPO men are also on the ground,” the official added.