In a landmark decision following the fatal swing collapse at the Surajkund International Crafts Mela, the Haryana government has announced that it will formulate the country’s first comprehensive policy to regulate fair and adventure rides. The announcement was made by Disaster Management Minister Vipul Goel, who admitted that the incident was “unprecedented” and exposed a critical gap in safety regulations for temporary amusement installations.
Minister Goel highlighted that currently, ride safety protocols are “virtually unheard of” in India, with authorities often relying solely on affidavits or the past reputation of vendors rather than technical inspections. “Henceforth, we will mandate daily inspections of rides and similar setups at large events. Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) will be framed for vendors and departments to ensure strict compliance,” Goel stated. The proposed policy will also include provisions to verify the skills and qualifications of ride operators, a check that was previously missing.
The decision comes after a “Tsunami” joyride malfunctioned on Saturday evening, killing Inspector Jagdish Prasad and injuring over a dozen visitors. A senior official revealed to the media that there was no existing mandate for pre-event inspections, and the administration had largely relied on the vendor’s self-declaration of safety.
Meanwhile, the Faridabad administration has formed a special committee under the Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) to determine the exact cause of the mechanical failure. The local police have arrested the ride operator, Mohammad Shakir, and his staff member. While the Surajkund Mela continues, the amusement section remains suspended until a safety review is completed.
