India may claim to have hosted the world?s biggest automobile show in terms of footfalls with the 10th Auto Expo recording an estimated 2 million visitors, but there is still a long way to go before Auto Expo attains the status of a world-class show, on the lines of the Frankfurt Motor Show or the Tokyo Motor Show.
The immediate priority for the organisers, the Confederation of Indian Industry, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers and the Automotive Component Manufacturers? Association, is to look for an alternate venue that is not only bigger than the existing venue, Pragati Maidan, but also is in a better state to accommodate the rising number of exhibitors as well as visitors. Also, there is a need to make it an annual event as India gains notice on the global automotive map.
Though the expo centres in Greater Noida and Hyderabad are ready-made venues for the next show, they may be too small and too distant. On the other hand, Gurgaon enjoys proximity to the international airport and would be connected by the Delhi Metro Airport Express Line by 2011, with full connectivity coming in 2015. No wonder the organisers are seriously betting big on Haryana, though talks are on with other states as well, such as Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
The deal, if it goes through, will be a win-win situation for all. While all exhibitors would get a chance to exhibit their products in a far bigger space, the state government will generate revenues ranging from Rs 50-70 crore from just one such event.
However, if things do not work out in terms of an alternate venue?ITPO seems to be in no mood to part with such a lucrative business option?the organisers could at least make it an annual event, alternating between car and bike shows one year and commercial vehicles as well as auto components next year, so that neither the business visitors nor the general public lose their focus from India as a major auto hub.
yogima.seth@expressindia.com