While the Narendra Modi Government at Centre faced the onslaught of the Opposition on the issue of Army being deployed to make pontoon bridges for the World Culture Festival by the Art of living at Yamuna riverbed, Delhi Tourism Minister Kapil Mishra who actually wrote to the Union Minister of Defence over the issue has kept mum.
In the letter accessed by The Pioneer, Mishra wrote to Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar on February 16 seeking Army’s help in preparing extra pontoon bridge on river Yamuna to facilitate the movement of those coming to participate in the mega event.
“We have learnt that the Army is making one pontoon bridge for the festival. This is not adequate for safe movement of the large gathering of people hence we request the Army for building at least one more pontoon bridge over river Yamuna during The World Culture Festival,” Mishra wrote in the letter.
“The Delhi Government will however not bear any expenditure whatsoever. Please let me know if the Delhi Government can do anything for you to extend or expedite support to Sri Sri Ravi Shankar’s World Cultural Festival,” Mishra said in the letter.
“A very large number of people who will be approaching the venue from Noida link Road side will be required to cross over Yamuna to reach the venue of the festival. This requires making of suitable, adequate and safe arrangements for people to cross over Yamuna to reach the venue. Provision of adequate number of pontoon bridges on Yamuna river (around Four) is being seen as imperative for this purpose,” the letter said.
In this letter, Mishra also made it clear that the Delhi government is supporting the festival via Delhi Jal Board and the Department of Art, Culture & languages.
Interestingly, after media criticism, Mishra tweeted, “Some media frnds misinterpreting my letter. It says Army hs already constructed one bridge tht may not be sufficient”.
In an attempt to corner the Modi Government, the entire Opposition on Wednesday raised the issue of the Army’s involvement in the construction of pontoon bridges.
CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury and former Union Minister Gulam Nabi Azad hit out at the Centre asking why was the Army being roped in for a private event following which the Opposition MPs raised slogans of ‘Army ka galat istemaal mat karo,’ (don’t misuse of army).
The Art of living admitted in court that they had spent Rs25.63 crore for the event, of which Rs15.63 crore was for stage formation and marquees while the remaining Rs10 crore was paid for decoration and lighting.