On last day, DefExpo sees 3 lakh visitors

Confirming the numbers, Union Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted, “Being informed that as per the joint assessment of the collector, local police & the CISF, between 2.5 to 3 lakh persons visited the #DefenceExpo2018 today (on Saturday). Thanks Chennai for this enthusiastic support. The pictures reveal the positive energy and interest to know in our people...” 

The free entry to the one-of-its kind event with stalls showcasing the latest military technology and a live display of the air, land and naval systems, drew lakhs of people from various other parts of Tamil Nadu, resulting in miles long traffic snarls and the crowd control of the thronging visitors turned out to be a major challenge for the government authorities. 

Speaking to DT Next, Vikram Krishnakumar, a resident of Kottivakkam, a mere 25-kms from the venue, had to endure a 7-kilometer traffic pile up to reach the venue. “The show, while spectacular, was poorly organised, with no facilities for water. The free entry meant that lakhs of people flocked in, from Puducherry and Cuddalore, for instance. If it was a paid entry, the crowd would have been under control,” said the city based entrepreneur, adding that inside the stalls too, it was chaotic. “People were taking selfies and some were touching the war heads and guns posing a huge problem for the stall owners. The public entry should have been charged and held for two days,” he said. 

Despite plying of special shuttle buses from Thiruvanmiyur to the venue, many – who travelled by public or private vehicles - had to return without having reached the venue, due to the traffic situation on ECR.