Dubai: The enthusiasm of Indian residents to see and hear their Prime Minister address them in Dubai was palpable on Monday night at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium which saw tens of thousands of Indians thronging the venue.
Residents started descending on the stadium as early as noon. Heavy traffic hit Hessa Street on the approach to Dubai Sports City beginning at 2pm. Residents were made to park in sandy areas away from the stadium to better manage traffic flow. Shuttle buses ferried some attendees while those who could not be accommodated walked to the stadium.
By the time the residents reached the main entrance at around 3pm, there was a mad rush. Security personnel and Dubai Police officials tried to manage the crowd but, due to the volume of people coming in, those on the left-hand side of the queue lost their cool.
Four metal barriers that were used to contain the crowd collapsed as the crowd made their way to the main entrance. An old lady fell on the sand when the metal barrier she was leaning on fell.
“Security was present but [security personnel] were helpless. Most of the men were pushing against each other to get in. Everybody had a pass; there was no need for [pushing],” Anant, 45, who came with his wife and two kids from Abu Dhabi, told Gulf News.
Anant’s wife, Geetha, said she had to scream at the men to behave properly.
“Out of fear of the kids getting squeezed, I shouted for them to stop. After that, the men gave way,” Geetha said.
Namita, a banker based in Bur Dubai, said she was separated from her husband on their way in. She was allowed to enter with her mother, 65, and daughter, 8.
“We were shocked to see the crowds. How can you manage [such large crowds]? But for now, it’s good,” she said.
Arvind Pillai, 60, a jeweller from Ajman, said given the size of the crowd, the people’s eagerness was normal. He said he didn’t have any problems entering the stadium.
“The crowd was very eager to get inside. It’s an important occasion for us so we understand. But the organisers could have segregated the crowds early on so there would be a better queuing system at the main entrance. That would have been an ideal situation. But all in all, it’s OK,” Pillai said.
Inside the stadium, men wearing orange T-shirts embossed with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s picture cheered and waved Indian flags.
Some residents had their face painted in the colours of the Indian flag while others sported paper flags on their heads.
Cultural dances from different states kept the crowd entertained from 5.45pm as they waited for Modi’s speech that was scheduled to begin at 8pm.
