Hyderabad: Issues, issues and more issues marred Greenko Hyderabad E-Prix on Saturday.
After drivers complained about the limited and unclean washrooms, fans who came in their thousands to witness the fourth round of the Formula E race, and the first ever in the city, were greeted at the entrance by rude and ill-informed police personnel.
Adding to the disappointment were representatives of Book My Show – the ticketing partner, who had no idea about goodies, food and beverage coupons which were supposed to be given complementary with passes worth Rs 10,000 and above.
A group of upset spectators broke into a fight with the organisers and the BMS representatives over their coupons and snatched wrist bands given to people to enter the stands. Hundreds of spectators who walked in post the argument had to wait for their wrist bands as the protesting spectators did not budge even as some of those who did not receive their bands joined the agitated ones.
“I bought two passes worth Rs 25,000 each and I was not given what was promised to me. Why should I pay such hefty amounts and fight to get a bottle of water,” complained Aryan, an angry spectator.
Motorsport fans coming from other cities like Mumbai and Bengaluru were amongst those fighting for food and water coupons. Amit, from Bengaluru, said, “I paid Rs 10,000 each for two tickets and I’m being forced to wait at the entrance for my coupons.”
Scores of people, including a minister from Andhra Pradesh, had to fight their way on to the foot-overbridges to get to their respective seats, while there were complaints of ACs not working, wash rooms not being available and lack of basic amenities like water even at the VIP stands.
A mother of two, who was seated in one of the VIP stands with her children said that the racing event was “one of the worst” she had ever attended.
First of the four Formula E events to be held in Hyderabad across different seasons, may not be the one to brag about, after all.
