Assocham claims Olympic relay caused losses

An impregnable security cover over the city might have ensured an event-free Olympic torch relay here, but early estimates by an industry body claims that the mega event caused financial losses to industry such as airlines, railways and BPO centres.

The event, which took place yesterday, also caused trouble for long-distance travellers and patients in hospitals, according to the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry of India (Assocham).

"The rally was not properly organised and caused severe public inconvenience due to security reasons also," Assocham President Venugopal N Dhoot said in a statement issued here today. "Nearly 300 corporate executives missed their evening and night flights due to heavy jams, arising out of Olympic Torch rally," he claimed.

About 500 railway passengers could not catch their evening and night trains due to traffic congestion on most of Delhi roads, leading to New Delhi, Old Delhi and Nizammudin Railway stations, he said quoting Assocham's early estimates.

The railway platforms remained heavily overcrowded as incoming passengers had no option but to stay on to railway stations due to shrinkage in exit facilities, the study claimed.

Long-distance traffic also suffered heavily as road passengers could not report in time at various inter-state bus terminals due to the rally, it claimed.

Hospitality and industry staff and all those who work night shifts reported at least five hours late because of traffic jams in the city, it claimed.