Sir,

During the last few days, we have experienced a festive look during the Mysuru Winter Festival-2017. Certainly, it has attracted the tourists and the local public to participate and enjoy various events during the period.

The Open Street Festival held on D. Devaraja Urs Road no doubt attracted large crowd, especially youth. Compliments to the District Authorities and other organisers, who have worked in a coordinated manner. However, there are a few issues, which need to be looked into while similar carnival or street festivals are organised in the years to come.

• The crowd on close to a kilometre length road was more than the law and order authorities could manage.
• The authorities were not prepared to handle any emergencies. In the event of stampede, fire or other eventualities, the exits were not clearly mentioned. At least every 200 mts distance on both side exits should be clearly exhibited and such exits should be free from hawkers and vehicles. No ambulance was seen in the area.
• The road is not equipped with the roadside fire hydrant system nor the shops and establishments with fire fighting facilities. Only in two places, extinguishers were found.
• The diesel power generators were installed on the roadside in an unsafe manner and all safety measures were clearly flouted.
• None of the eatery stalls were equipped to handle fire mishap or electrocution.
• The Help Desks at an interval of 200 mts would be desirable.
• The crowd was unwieldy and children had scary time.
• Public announcement system was missing which is essential in the event of any eventualities.
• Need more volunteers at various strategic locations.
• Authorities should look into safe Entry and Exit and easy flow of crowd. Crowd management needs further improvement.

I am sure the authorities will take note of the above observations during the future festivals.

– Ravichandra Bekal, V. Mohalla, 31.12.2017

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