No poll potholes for F1 show

MUMBAI: It shouldn't be too difficult for the Red Bull Formula One car show to be held on the Bandra-Worli Sea Link on Sunday, October 11, to get the green light from the Election Commission. Mumbai island city collector and returningofficer for elections I Z Kundan told TOI that she had no objection to the showas long as it did not involve any politicians or political flags or banners.The motorway will have to be closed to traffic for two hours in themorning for the car show.Before the event, Formula One driver DavidCoulthard will show off his speed demon on the Sea Link. The car, which will beflown into the city on October 6, will be assembled and displayed during thefollowing days."The organizers have not approached us," Kundan said.The Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC) should ensure thatthey stick to the norms and inform us in case of any possibility of violation,"she added.The MSRDC, which owns the Sea Link, has issued ano-objection certificate for the event, but has also clearly told the organizersthat its nod was not the final hurdle, and that they also need to seekpermission from the Election Commission and security clearances from thepolice.Several Sea Link users are opposed to events being held onthe motorway, as these are likely to hinder the flow of traffic. Indeed, theMSRDC has already refused permission for film shoots on the Sea Linkon several occasions, in order to avoid traffic snarls.The iconicstructure has caught the attention of many organizations, including MicrosoftCorporation, which wants to hold the international launch of its Windows 7operating system on the Sea Link, and the organizers of the MumbaiMarathon.