Now, insurance cover for trade fair visitors

NEW DELHI: For the first time, everyvisitor to forthcoming annual jamboree, India International Trade Fair, at thecapital''s Pragati Maidan (November 14-27) would have a personal insurance coverto guard against loss of life due to natural calamities and man-created onessuch as terrorist attacks, stampede, fire and other accidents. IndiaTrade Promotion Organisation, the organiser of the consumer-cum-business fair,would be make an annual premium payout to the tune of around Rs 50 lakh for acomprehensive personal insurance cover that would range between Rs 2 and Rs 3crore. Talks in this regard are currently on with a host of privateand government insurance companies and the deal is expected to be finalised overthe next couple of days.“It is sheer good luck that noaccidents or calamities have struck the fair in the twenty-two years of itsexistence. However, we would like to be prepared for any eventuality,�says a senior ITPO executive. On an average, the 14-day fairattracts over 80,000 visitors each day in the week-days while the numbers swellup to 1.4 lakh on Sundays and holidays. The insurance cover wouldinclude all events organised by ITPO at Pragati Maidan through out the year.Companies who participate in the fair have to compulsorily go in for aninsurance cover for materials. According to Ashok Jha, chairman andmanaging director, ITPO, special measures have been taken this year to beef upsecurity and law and order in and around the fair premises.“Private guards would assist Delhi Police personnel in manningsecurity with help of close-circuit TV sets and watch-towers,� Jhaadded.With an outlay in excess of Rs 10 crore for the 14-day fair,the marketing and promotional spend this year is expected to be tune of Rs 70lakh. Entry tickets are being made available at concessional ratesfrom 700 outlets of Mother Dairy and Safar Booths across the city and selectbranches of Canara Bank, State Bank of India and Central Bank.Thisyear''s fair – to be inaugurated by President Ar APJ Abdul Kalam –would see participation from 27 countries, with the largest representationcoming from China, and over 40 companies from Pakistan. Over 40business delegations are slated to visit the fair this year. The theme thisyearr is tourism and promoting exports of small and mediumenterprises.ITPO executives said that all the commercial space– spread over 18 halls and 64,000 square metres – have been soldout.