Tambaram Police begin enquiries into overcrowding at A.R. Rahman’s music concert

Police said the enquiries will look into whether the organisers, ACTC events, had oversold tickets, and also check on whether they had adhered to license conditions

The concert, ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’ was held on Sunday, September 10, 2023 | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

The Tambaram City Police are enquiring into reports of overcrowding and chaotic traffic on East Coast Road on Sunday (September 10, 2023) evening, due to musician AR. Rahman’s concert, ‘Marakkuma Nenjam’. A convoy of Chief Minister M.K. Stalin’s, was also caught in the massive traffic snarl.

Director General of Police/ Head of Police force Shankar Jiwal said he had instructed Tambaram Police Commissioner A.Amalraj to inquire into the circumstances that led to the overcrowding of people causing heavy traffic jam in the area. Besides investigating how such a large number of people turned up at the venue, the police would check the arrangements made for the visitors such as healthcare facilities, parking space etc. Steps would be taken to ensure that such incidents do not happen in future, Mr Jiwal said.

Following the orders of DGP, Tambaram Police Commissioner A.Amalraj visited the spot and held on the spot enquiry on Monday. He said an enquiry is ongoing to find out whether the organiser had oversold tickets, and also to check if they had adhered with the conditions of the licence granted to them.

The representatives of ACTC including its director Hemanth appeared before the police officers in Tambaram Police Commissioner, said police sources.

The concert was held at Adityaram Palace City on ECR. On Monday, multiple ticket-holders posted on social media, complaining about poor management at the venue and overcrowding. Many fans were disappointed as they could not enter the venue due to the heavy traffic, despite holding tickets, and had to return without being able to see the show. They blamed the event management company for overselling tickets and for not being able to give seats to those who at arrived at the venue with valid tickets.

“We had a diamond ticket for ₹5,000 but could not enter because people were standing in a queue that ran for 2.5 kilometres. Others were sitting in our seats and we did not know what to do except to return home disappointed. People came to the gate and said to us that a stampede was likely to take place and asked us to leave the place immediately,” said a disappointed fan, Archana, of Sholinganallur.

Ranganathan, of Alwarpet said, “There was no place to park vehicles and the crowd was overflowing. How could they sell tickets beyond the limit and capacity of the venue? Even for those who could enter, there were not enough seats available. We did not expect such a poorly-organised concert and that too, from AR. Rahman. “