Logistical issues at Diljit Dosanjh’s 2-day Delhi concert? What RTI revealed

The much-hyped Diljit Dosanjh concert, held at Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru (JLN) Stadium on October 26 and 27, 2024, has become the subject of heated controversy, both for the chaotic ticketing process and the stadium’s deplorable condition after the event.
While the concert delighted fans with an electrifying performance, the aftermath has left a sour note among athletes and stakeholders of the iconic sports venue.
The lead-up to the concert was marred by widespread allegations of black marketing, with tickets selling out almost immediately after their release.
Many fans were left frustrated, unable to secure seats despite high demand, and some raised concerns about tickets being resold at inflated prices. This initial controversy set the tone for what would become an even larger issue in the days following the event.
In response to an RTI filed by India Today, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) disclosed the financial arrangements and responsibilities surrounding the concert.
The organisers, Saregama India, paid a booking fee of Rs 2,77,25,436 and a security deposit of Rs 30,33,000. They were also tasked with maintaining cleanliness during and after the event, a responsibility they fulfilled by hiring a vendor.
However, reports from athletes and the media suggest that these measures were grossly inadequate, leaving the stadium in disarray.
The RTI response also revealed that the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) is currently assessing the damage caused to the stadium’s infrastructure.
While the organisers are expected to bear the costs of repair, no fines have yet been imposed. Depending on the outcome of the damage evaluation, penalties may still be levied. However, the delay in restoring the stadium has already caused significant disruptions for athletes.
The RTI was filed in response to athletes’ claims about the condition of the stadium.
Athletes who trained at the JLN Stadium expressed outrage at the state of the venue after the concert. The athletics track and surrounding areas were left strewn with garbage, including beer bottles, food wrappers, and other debris.
Equipment crucial for training, such as hurdles, was found damaged or discarded. Middle-distance runner Beant Singh captured the sentiment of the athletic community in a viral video, calling the situation “disrespectful to athletes and to sports”.
Singh revealed that the main track remained closed for nearly ten days after the event, forcing athletes to train on warm-up tracks and significantly disrupting preparations for the upcoming national championships.