The empty stalls at the Bihar Auto Show 2011 at Patliputra Ground in Patna. Picture by Nagendra Kumar Singh

Patna, Feb. 17: The four-day Bihar Auto Show 2011, inaugurated today, failed to draw crowds because 15 out of 30 automobile companies withdrew their participation at the last minute over the venue.

The show was supposed to be organised at Gandhi Maidan but as the organisers failed to get the venue, the show was shifted to Patliputra Ground.

Transport, information and public relations minister Brishen Patel, who inaugurated the show, was disappointed over the low turnout.

He said: “It is sad that the participants withdrew from the show at the last minute. Otherwise, it could have been a great show. However, I hope the show will still attract the customers.”

He also checked out a few cars and appreciated the organisers for putting up the show in the face of adversities.

The show has been organised by a private company. Faizan Ahmad, one of the organisers, said: “It is sad that the participants withdrew over the venue. Initially, we had wanted to organise the show at Gandhi Maidan but we did not get it. We tried our best to get Gandhi Maidan but we got an indifferent response from the administration and there were date problems as well.”

“We had started the procedures to book Gandhi Maidan from August last year. Finally, we had to choose Patliputra Ground. People hesitate to visit the place because of narrow roads and lack of parking facilities. It is located at one corner of the city so the big automobile companies like Mahindra and Mahindra, Maruti and Hyundai withdrew their participation,” added Ahmad.

Another organiser, Mehboob Alam, said: “We cannot do anything now. The least we can do is to try to put up a good show. Someone must take the responsibility for the failure of the show.”

“We have put in a lot of effort in the show and we are doing this for the residents. Here, we are offering good-looking cars at affordable rates along with the facility for bank loans,” added Alam.

The organisers said the customers can go in for test drive at the show. They also said they had received a few queries regarding the purchase of cars, but it was not satisfactory.

Subodh Kumar, a resident of Patliputra, said: “I had come here to check the Bajaj and TVS bikes as I want a good and stylish bike. Once here, I came to know that the company has withdrawn from the participation. This is sad. Now, I will have to go and buy the bike from a showroom.”