What went wrong at the air show?

Chennai: A day after the IAF's stunning air show with the Marina and the Bay of Bengal as the backdrop, the sight of people on stretchers, the near-stampede situation, the constant sound of ambulance sirens, the death of five, and the hospitalisation of over 100 people have left an indelible imprint on the spectators. The engine roar and the aerobatic manoeuvres have suddenly become a distant memory.
People blamed the authorities, who publicised the event and made traffic changes, but failed miserably at managing the several lakh people that jetted the show into the Limca Book of Records.What actually went wrong?
It all began well as people started entering the venue in droves. Some even pitched tents away from the crowd and enjoyed the beach waters as they watched the spectacle in the sky. But most were confined within the barricades for hours. The soaring temperature and humidity added to the discomfort. Volunteers were on their toes, carrying away people on stretchers throughout the show.
There was not enough drinking water or shelter, as many carried minimal water and had no cap or umbrella. Many were seen holding their loved ones who were dehydrated, while some begged for drinking water. Water bottles and sachets should have been made abundantly available. Senior citizens and people with disabilities had an even tougher time, as many felt faint, and those using wheelchairs struggled to navigate.
There was more chaos once the show was done at 1pm. Unlike their entry, which was in waves, the exit was like a deluge, with everyone wanting to leave at once. People, however, were forced to wait on the beach for several more minutes as police prioritised VIP movement. As the Marina Promenade had been bifurcated on the beach side, those on the northern half of the beach had just one exit near the Labourer Statue. Exit points were packed as crowds were stuck at the exits for more than 40 minutes. Some children even sustained minor injuries. Many took out bikes parked without permission in govt buildings on Kamarajar Salai. As people rushed to leave, Kamarajar Salai choked, with at least three ambulances carrying swooned spectators stuck for more than 90 minutes.
A few had to carry their fainted loved ones as they could not find transportation, but tensions soared when police refused to transport them. Desperate visitors, unable to cross Napier's Bridge, were forced to use a narrow wooden plank set up for civic work. There were only a few policemen as many had left soon after the show ended.
Approach roads such as Wallajah Road and the Loop Road were blocked as there were too many road users, and most of the road space had been taken over by vehicles parked in a zigzag. While buses were in short supply, the MRTS failed to evacuate people as it stuck to its ‘holiday schedule'. Metro trains were the only saving grace. It was a loot by auto drivers, who charged up to 900 for a 2-km drive.
At the final count, five people collapsed and died, while more than 100 had to be rushed to hospitals due to dehydration. By afternoon, the high precision and skill exhibited by the IAF were long forgotten. Visuals flooding social media show people trudging out of the show venue like zombies. VIPs, of course, had a smooth entry and exit during and after the show.