Numaish all set to open on Jan 1

It has been 79 years and the enthusiasm and eagerness remains the same. Like visitors, stall owners and others too are all excited about the All India Industrial Exhibition, popularly known as Numaish, which is all set to open on Wednesday.

In the wake of last year’s fire accident, there were speculations that stall owners might not evince much interest in the event. But the response has been as usual. Majority of the traders, who had set up stalls last year have approached the society for setting up their stalls this time too, said Exhibition Society secretary B Prabha Shankar. 

However, the number of stalls this year have been reduced for more walkways to ensure free movement of visitors, besides sufficient space for fire tenders and ambulances to reach the spot, in case of any untoward incident. 

All the overhead power cables



have been shifted underground and a comprehensive firefighting system was in place. Two water sumps with 1.5 lakh litres capacity have been constructed and a 2-km underground pipeline laid covering every stall and place on the Exhibition Grounds. As many 80 fire hydrants have been established with each one equipped with 30 metres flexible hose, he added.

Every year, around 20 lakh people visit the Numaish and about 2,000 stalls are set up offering a wide variety of products and services, besides entertainment.

It will be launched on January 1 by Home Minister Mohd Mahmood Ali and Animal Husbandry Minister T Srinivas Yadav and Mayor Bonthu Rammohan. Exhibition Society is an 80-year-old organisation and the first exhibition was held at Public Gardens in 1938 and the venue was shifted to the current Exhibition Grounds in 1946.