Jan 21: The entire city seems to be headed for Auto Expo-98. Or so it seems going by the traffic snarls, parking chaos, scramble for passes, attraction for new models (The cars) on display et al. However, the show seem to be turning into a `girlie' expo, rather than a show meant to display automobiles.The scene inside Pragati Maidan provided ample glimpses of Delhi's new found love for the dream machines, most of which were beyond the reach of most Delhiites. For the crowd at certain stalls, the legs of the girls displaying the cars seemed to be the cynosure, rather than the leg-space in the cars on display.And going by the popularity, the two HS, Hyundai and Honda, vied with each other, if the length of the skirts worn by the hostesses there, was any indicator.Bur for most people, this seemed to be the added attraction. ``I can't afford any of these cars, my friends had told me that there are a number of new cars and there are good-looking girls at some of these stalls, so we decided to come and spend our day here,'' said Raj Kumar from Palam Colony, who had come with a group of friends. ``We have paid for the ticket, so why can't we entertain ourselves,'' said Rajesh Sharma, a college student from the same group.Security guards at the Honda stall admitted they had problems controlling the crowd. ``On Sunday, it was a mad rush and we had to close the gates for some time. There was a lot of pushing and jostling around as people wanted to have a glimpse of the girls,'' said a private security guard.According to an official at the Hyundai stall, they have asked the security guards to be more vigilant as the crowds seem to be increasing every day. ``We haven't had any major problems, we had girls standing next to all the car models earlier, however since some girls felt uncomfortable, we have asked them to stand on a platform in the centre,'' he added.Some girls on duty said it was difficult to manage some people, who asked all sorts of awkward questions. ``It became really difficult, some people come here just to have fun, they are more interested in us than in the cars,'' said Neha (name changed on request), who is working at the Honda stall.According to her, most of the girls working at the exhibition are college students who have been hired by the companies through agencies. ``I am getting Rs 1,200 per day besides food and the dress, that's why I am here''she added.However, for many like Nikita, a student of Kamla Nehru college, working at the Expo meant a good way to save some money. ``I'll be able to get so much money in one go. I have been wanting to buy a CD system, now I can do that,'' said she adding, ``Some of the men do pass comments, but the male staff usually sticks around and helps us if we have a problem,'' she added.
