Bhoj fest Day 2: Footfall nil, buffs say it's all hot air

BHOPAL: For Anil Sahay, adventure sports enthusiast, Bhoj Adventure fest on Saturday was a big disappointment. Organizers have not started adventure activities like climbing wall and others on Day two of the fest as a result of which presence of people was negligible at Kaliasot, venue of adventure fest.
A month-long event is being organized by Bhopal Tourism Promotion Council of Madhya Pradesh State Tourism Development Corporation in association with district administration, Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other state government agencies.
"It is funny. State government is spending huge money on adventure fest to promote adventure activities in the state, but they were not prepared. Is it possible to make Bhopal a tourist spot in such condition when they fail to attract masses even after holding adventure fest for last five years," Anil said.
Anil was not only visitor, who came back disappointed. "After reading in newspapers, I came to the venue with big hopes. I was surprised when organisers told me that ballooning was not available. If they can't arrange it on weekends what is use of making tall claims for promoting adventure at your doorstep," said Prateek Sahu, an engineering student.
When contacted, organizing committee joint secretary Ritesh Sharma said, "What can we do if people are not coming?" Asked reason for not stating adventure activities like climbing wall, Sharma replied, "It is true that activities like climbing wall were not started as agencies were informed late. We will start all activities from Sunday.
Organizers had claimed 21 adventure activities like parasailing, para-motoring, bungee jumping, air rifle shooting, commando drill, bull riding, paint ball shooting, archery, wall climbing, all-terrain vehicle drive, speed boating and pedal boating would be undertaken from day 1.