By IANS,
Chandigarh : Dirt and dust, no drinking water, overpriced food and haphazard parking arrangements – those were just some of the complaints of many a visitor to the Chandigarh Carnival that kicked off here Saturday.
Many visitors complained of sand and dirt all around the carnival site.
“I have an asthma problem and it is very difficult to roam here in such conditions,” Amandeep Singh, a senior citizen who is residing in the city for the last 30 years told IANS.
Singh added: “There is chaos all around. This resembles more like a village fair rather than a carnival.”
Many of the visitors coming to the carnival had to return hungry and thirsty.
There were no arrangements for drinking water and people had to manage with a solitary water tanker positioned outside the carnival site.
“If anyone wants to burn a big hole in his pocket then visit this carnival, otherwise bring your own food. We thought that here we will get food at normal prices if not at subsidized rates. But food at Chandigarh Industrial and Tourism Development Corporation (CITCO) stalls and at the Haryana Tourism stall is quite expensive,” said Balwinder Singh, a government employee.
People also had a tough time while parking their vehicles.
Mohina Sethi, a college student said: “There are no proper parking arrangements and signboards to guide us. Even after trying for 30 minutes, I could not find any parking space.”
However, Vinod Kalia, assistant director, Tourism denied all the allegations. He told IANS: “We have tried our level best and have plans to take this carnival on to the international map. We have planned everything for smooth functioning here. There are proper parking arrangements and stalls inside the venue to guide the visitors coming here.”