No nod yet for Bryan Adams’ concert, fans fear the worst

NEW DELHI - Will he or will he not? Hopes for the much-awaited Bryan Adams’ concert that was scheduled Tuesday evening here have almost diminished with police officers saying no clearance was being given for the event.

The organisers, meanwhile, are yet to issue a formal statement although they admitted that a series of meetings have been taking place on the issue.

“The no objection certificate (NOC) is not given to the event organisers,” Delhi Police spokesperson Rajan Bhagat told IANS citing security reasons.

Delhiites have grabbed tickets for the concert slated for Tuesday evening at the NSIC exhibition grounds in south Delhi’s Okhla industrial area. Tickets in excess of the capacity of the ground have apparently been sold.

Fans who have been waiting eagerly for the concert are fearing the worst.

Rohit Chauhan, a resident of Chandigarh, who reached Delhi early Tuesday for the concert said: “I and my wife drove all the way down from Chandigarh for the concert and now we are hearing all these things that it may not happen at all. I am really disappointed.”

Added Charu Singh, a Delhi-based student: “I cut down my pocket money to buy the Rs.2,000 ticket for the concert and now am hearing that it may not happen. I am keeping my fingers crossed! I am a big fan of his and I really really hope it happens”.

The spokesperson of the event’s organiser, Netsurf Entertainment, said: “A meeting is going on with our client. We will be able to confirm if the concert is on only after the meeting.”

The unexpected rains Monday also came as a surprise to the organisers.

The singer, however, sounded hopeful as he tweeted about the show at midnight.

“I’m in New Delhi, waiting to hear from the police about the concert. As far as I’m concerned the show is on - we’re 100 percent here for the fans,” Bryan Adams said.

Earlier, an officer of the Delhi Police licensing branch, which is authorised to give the NOC, said: “We have stopped the NOC as the local police has informed us that the event organisers have sold tickets beyond the limit.”

“So the event will be difficult to manage,” he added.

Bryan Adams, who has to his name superhits like “18 Till I Die” and “Summer of 69″, has a large fan following in India and attracted huge crowds at his concerts at Pune and Mumbai. He is currently on a five-city tour of India.