The state administration has claimed that massive arrangements were made anticipating the large number of followers of Dattatreya Narayan Dharmadhikari who would be attending the event wherein he was to be conferred with Maharashtra Bhushan Award. But despite this, tragedy struck.
The administration attributes it to a lack of awareness among people about the devastating impact that high temperatures can have on them, and not taking medical assistance on time. Whereas, Dharmadhikari’s followers and others blame the administration for failing to anticipate the high temperature on the open ground, and thus not making the requisite arrangements, as well as the lack of volunteers meant to guide the followers.
According to the Konkan Divisional Commissioner’s Office, for Sunday’s event, over 30 different committees were formed. These committees were responsible for water supply, law and order, medical response, safety of the followers, disaster management, protocol, etc.
Over these committees, there was a coordination committee headed by Divisional Commissioner Mahendra Kalyankar, wherein all department heads, such as the civic chief, collector, health department head, district administrator, and police chief were members.
Kalyankar’s office said that the facilities had been provided to the followers since Friday night.
“With the help of ISKCON volunteers, we provided food to them on Friday night, Saturday afternoon, and Saturday night. On Sunday, the pratishthan members brought their own food. More than 2,000 water taps were installed at the venue. Besides this, plastisol water tanks were placed at the ground, and more than 250 water tanker trucks were also kept as back-up storage at various places. “More than 14,000 toilet units were deployed at and around the venue,” the officer said.
Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner Milind Bharambe said more than 4,000 policemen were deputed for security bandobast at the venue since Saturday night, and they coordinated with local administration.
“More than 300 doctors, along with medical staff in 52 medical booths, were available at the medical camps.” There was an arrangement of two green rooms where 4,000 beds were kept for patients. “Besides this, five private hospitals near the venue were informed in advance to reserve 100 beds each for patients in case of any eventuality,” said Rahul Mundake, SDO Panvel.
Sources in the Dhrmadhikari Pratishthan said that for the past two weeks, the followers had been instructed to carry food and water to the venue. Messages were also circulated that followers should avoid bringing children, senior citizens and pregnant women. But there was inadequate number of volunteers to guide the followers. Sources said that many policemen and local administration staff left the event premises too early because of the heat. Some people, in order to rush back home, chose whatever roads they could go by. In this situation, some people were unable to avail of water or take rest, and no one was present to guide them. As a result, they suffered heatstroke.
“There was no shed for followers to protect them from the scorching heat,” a follower said. To this, the administrative officers said that covering a ground area of more than 300 acres with a shed was not possible.
Some followers said that roads connecting the ground and parking places could have been covered with trees to give relief to followers from the heat, as there were hardly any trees alongside the roads outside the ground. However, a senior police officer said that had the administration not made such massive arrangements, a major tragedy could have occurred.
Meanwhile, Raigad Collector Dr Yogesh Mhase said sunstroke was the only cause behind the tragic incident. He categorically denied any reports of stampede. “Some people who had co-morbidities had suffered the most due to sunstroke. Of the 13 deceased, 10 died of heatstroke while one died of a heart attack. The cause of death of two are still to be ascertained,” said Mhase.
“Considering the heat, we preponed the event and kept it at 10.30 am. Due to cloudy temperature a day before the event, the humidity level had also increased. Many of our staff on ground experienced it,” he said.
Mhase also denied allegations that the drinking water available at the event was hot and could not be consumed by the attendees. He said the venue had running piped tap water.
Patients recuperating at MGM Hospital in Kamothe, in Navi Mumbai on Monday. (Express Photo by Narendra Vaskar) 
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