Editor,
As a concerned citizen from Meghalaya, I am writing to draw your attention to the recent Durand Cup 2024 that was organised at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Shillong.
When there is a football tournament in the city, many people are going to visit as supporters but the traffic department made many different roads as ‘no entry’. It is like harassment to the public who are not allowed entry for their vehicles. Also, there are many citizens who want to watch the tournament at the right time but did not reach at the right time due to traffic jams as parking lots are not available and also by the traffic police imposing ‘no entry’ to many nearby roads near the stadium and by not having the parking areas in the locations where the game is organised.
There are also some of the people who are travelling from the road nearby JN Stadium who are going for work, hospitals, schools etc and who are made to wait almost 3 to 4 hours to reach their destinations.
It seems like the traffic management plan for the football tournament has caused significant inconvenience to the public. The measures put in place, such as closing multiple roads and limiting access, have led to harassment for the football fans trying to reach the stadium due to traffic jams, congestion and inability to access parking lots. Besides, delays for people trying to reach hospitals and tuition, and extended wait times (3-4 hours) for people trying to reach their destinations.
This situation highlights the need for a more comprehensive and thoughtful approach to traffic management during large events such as the one on August 26. The authorities should consider implementing alternative routes and diversions, as well as increasing public transportation options and designating specific parking areas for the event. The traffic police also should manage with hospitals and schools to ensure access for emergencies and daily activities and to communicate effectively with the public about traffic restrictions and alternative arrangements.
Hence, while talking about the issues that were happening on August 24 to the people who rushed to buy the tickets for the football event. Since the beginning, the State government through the Sports Department has informed that tickets will be available online but citizens after the online ticket availability was closed through online found that they have to go and buy tickets offline from the counters. This is also a public harassment because suddenly, without any reason, the online tickets were closed without clear information to the public. If offline tickets can be sold, then the online tickets also should be sold properly at the right time.
The public had to wait to avail the tickets through the offline counters for a long time. For almost 4 to 5 hours they were made to stand on the line. The government officials told the public that the tickets are no longer in stock and that they shall be sold again online after 8 pm. The people have to return home through sadness, and there are some people standing in the queue who collapsed due to the heat and mad rush. After being made to wait for so long, enduring the scorching heat, yet they are met with disappointment and frustration. The government officials’ response seems insensitive and uncaring.
After 8 pm, while checking the online platform for buying the ticket, it was found that it has been closed although the seats are open. Many people who wanted to watch their football teams live had to stay at home by watching through the TV channel. The government officials from the Sports Department did not provide a clear solution to the problem.
As we have seen, many of the people in the State are very interested in football matches. The Sports Department should be made aware of its responsibility to take care of this by calculating the population and the stadium capacity. It should be made clear because one MLA can get eight tickets for watching the Durand Cup game at the JN Stadium on August 26. Maybe many officials from the State or outside can avail the offer for tickets from the government. The public did not get clear information about the ticket even before the game started. They came from all over the State and outside to watch the game. The Sports Department should have handled this with clarity for the public to understand.
The questions I want to ask is why have the online tickets for the Duran Cup on August 26 been closed and offline tickets are being sold at Polo Ground? I also need an explanation on why the tickets were taken offline and how they will ensure equal access for all citizens. Also, how many tickets are prepared for the Durand Cup on August 26? Why were the Executive Engineers and different officers from government departments appointed as magistrates in the JN Stadium for the Durand Cup 2024? Where are the MCS officers? Is the JN Stadium open for all the football fans from the State of Meghalaya or outside?
Henceforth, the Sports Department should improve crowd management to ensure the safety and well-being of citizens, especially in extreme weather conditions. The department should also implement a system that can handle the ticket demand smoothly. The government officials must take responsibility for the inconvenience and distress caused, as well as show compassion and understanding towards the citizens who have been affected. The Traffic Police should not create traffic congestion by making delays for everyone and causing public harassment during the tournament.
Finally, the offline tickets should be sold only a day before the game starts in the official areas with full preparations. There are people who got to buy the offline tickets two or three days before the game in bulk and then sold them as black tickets by hiking the ticket price from Rs 100 to Rs 1000 each.
Banshai Marbaniang
Shillong
