IAF Air Show 2024: Spectacle in the Sky, Chaos on the Ground
After the show, crowds flooded bus stops and metro stations, while ambulances became trapped in the heavy traffic
IAF Show
The massive crowd that gathered on Sunday to witness the IAF’s air show at Marina Beach was left stranded amidst dangerous congestion and sweltering heat once the event concluded. After hours of waiting under the sun, people flooded the streets, crowding nearby bus stops, metro, and railway stations. Roads leading to and from the venue were quickly overwhelmed, with ambulances stuck in traffic, unable to move, according to sources.
“As soon as the event ended, it felt like the public was forgotten. We were left to fend for ourselves,” said Nirmala, a college student from Periamet. Public transport, particularly Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) stations, were packed with thousands of commuters trying to head home. Despite Chennai Metro Rail increasing train frequency on key routes, it struggled to manage the sudden surge in passengers. Many attendees voiced frustration over the lack of planning and preparation.
Adding to the chaos, the crowd's movement posed a risk of injury and suffocation. Some people even climbed walls and trees to catch their breath. “There was pushing and shoving, and for a moment, I feared the crowd might get out of control,” recalled Chaitanya, who had travelled all the way from Tambaram.
The lack of basic amenities nearby left many parents scrambling to find water and food for their children. “We had no idea it would be this bad. I brought three two-litre bottles, and they were finished inside the venue as we sat on the scorching sand. There’s no shop nearby to buy water or even snacks for my son,” said Latha, another attendee. Many parents were seen asking others for water and food for their kids.
Sathish Kumar, a wheelchair user, shared his frustration over the restricted access for buses and cabs near the venue, forcing him to travel three kilometres from the Omandurar Estate Metro station to reach the beach. Although shuttle services were provided, none of them were equipped with low-floor buses, he noted.
“We reached out to government agencies, including the MTC and Chennai Corporation, to ensure the event was accessible for persons with disabilities, but nothing was done. It wasn’t even considered. The officers at the venue had no idea how to assist us,” he said.
Adding to the issue, Kumar pointed out that the designated disability pathway at Marina Beach was used by VIPs to reach their seats. “The air show wasn’t visible from the service road. We had to fight for over an hour just to gain access to the disability pathway,” he added.
