“Are you from the media? This is only for the media. We will talk to you separately.” That was Dr Pawan Goenka, President – Automotive Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra, to someone from the huge throng at the company's stall at the auto expo in New Delhi, who wanted to ask a question.
It was meant to be a press conference to launch Mahindra Reva's concept electric car. But, the journalists were far outnumbered by the general public, many of whom took vantage positions, blocking the media personnel. There were kids trying to edge their way as close to the vehicles as possible, to take pictures with their mobile phone cameras. And, there were parents actively pushing their kids through the assembled journalists.
That has been the story in the first two days of the 12th auto expo at Pragati Maidan, in New Delhi. At all the launches and press conferences, right from Thursday, when the expo opened, media personnel were in a significant minority.
Thursday was supposed to be the media day with back-to-back launches and press conferences and Friday for media and special invitees. From tomorrow till January 11, the show is open for the general public. But, then the crowds in the first two days made it appear as if the general public had already been allowed entry.
The organisers – Confederation of Indian Industry, Automotive Component Manufacturers Association and Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers – tout this as one of the largest automobile shows. It is accredited by OICA – International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers. The expo has nearly 1.15 lakh sq m of space in 16 halls and 10 hangars. But, the facilities and arrangements leave a lot to be desired.
Right from registering mediapersons and issuing passes for them, everything was chaotic. An agency had been hired to do this task and till the inaugural day, a lot of journalists had not been issued their passes. Instead, they were asked to assemble at a particular gate where representatives would hand over temporary entry cards.
Executives of car companies were downright dismissive of the arrangements. Said one, “the auto show in China is much bigger. But it is so well organised. Here, they are trying to show that it attracts the largest crowds.”
The organisers charge almost Rs 9,000 a sq m. “It is the most expensive,” said the chief executive of the Indian subsidiary of a multinational car maker. He narrates his tale of woe: “Yesterday was supposed to be the media day. Nothing was ready. It was so dirty that we spent a lot of time and money in cleaning up the place to put up our pavilion.” His take on the state of the toilets: “You have to stop breathing once you enter them. Close your nose. Breathe through your mouth!” His company wanted to have a temporary toilet as its CEO was going to be there at the expo. “"I was asked for three million rupees." “I thought my staff were playing a joke on me,” says he.
Would he prefer that the expo is shifted elsewhere? “You must ask SIAM,” he replied cheekily.
The organisers have said that they will restrict the number of visitors to the expo to one lakh a day. There were a few thousands today, when entry was supposed to be restricted.