Even though its involvement in building a pontoon bridge on the Yamuna for the Art of living Foundation’s forthcoming event ‘World Culture Festival’ has come in for criticism, the Army may build one more bridge to facilitate smooth movement of traffic and pedestrians for the forthcoming three-day event starting March 11.
The Army had initially raised objection saying it was a “private event” and sought the Defence Ministry’s approval, which came about. The go-ahead was given in the larger public interest as the event is likely to draw huge crowds and the main concern is to ensure smooth flow of traffic and pedestrians, sources said here on Monday.
The present bridge is nearly 70-metre-wide and can take load of more than 70 tonnes including cars and tanks. The request for the second bridge came from the Delhi Police, which has expressed concern over a large number of people expected for the three-day event and may lead to stampede due to lack of adequate infrastructure, they said.
Officials said the organisers had approached the Defence Ministry for at least six temporary bridges but the Army was asked to build only one. The PWD installed the second bridge. Following the Delhi Police’s report about expected congregation of a large number of people and expressed fear of stampede, the Army may build its second bridge as it has the required expertise for erecting such infrastructure at short notice, they said.
A Minister from the Delhi Government had also written to the Defence Ministry highlighting the need for another bridge, they said, adding Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has asked the Defence Secretary to look into the request.
Justifying the decision to involve the Army, sources said since large number of people are expected to turn up posing law and order issue besides fear of stampede, it was the government’s responsibility to ensure a smooth function since permission was granted by relevant authorities.
Officials said during Parrikar’s interaction with the Army on the issue in the initial stage, the force wondered whether their personnel should be used to help a “private event.” The Minister was of the view that since permission has been granted, it is the responsibility of the government to ensure everything was fine. The Army, which has the expertise, was asked to step in keeping the larger good of people in mind, they said.
When asked that the event was now embroiled in a controversy after the National Green Tribunal raised objections, sources said the Army is only helping people and it is up to the concerned authorities to grant permission or withdraw it.
Meerut-based troops of Engineers Regiment constructed the pontoon bridge some days back at the west bank of Yamuna. These specialized units trained to build these bridges in not more than 210 minutes in actual battle condition like enemy firing and minefields around the river. Officials said the present bridge was built in about one hour by nearly 100 troops and will maintain it till the event is over.
The Army constructs such bridges during Kumbh Mela and did so during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, they said.