Kochi: Gross neglect of safety concerns is evident in the temporary stage built in the gallery of Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor, from where Uma Thomas MLA fell on Sunday evening ahead of a mega dance event. The stage allegedly erected without necessary permissions looks like one built for an accident. 

The Thrikkakara MLA suffered severe injuries to head and lungs after falling down nearly 14 feet off the temporary structure and is under critical care at a private hospital in Kochi.

The stage was set for the VIPs, including Culture Minister Saji Cheriyan, who were invited to watch a Bharathanatyam performance by around 12,000 dancers held on the stadium's turf. The event was organised to set a Guinness record. The stage was set on the gallery, 3.2 metres above the ground, above two rows of seats. What made it a dangerous spot was the lack of a proper barricade. Instead, only a queue manager with a belt was placed in front of the seats. 

There was also not enough space to walk comfortably on the stage. Uma Thomas fell off the stage as she lost balance and tried to hold onto the queue manager belt. Her head hit the concrete slabs laid over the drainage system around the turf. It is shocking that none of the organisers sensed the dangers of an elevated platform left open to the ground.

The Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), which manages the stadium, said the temporary stage was built only a few hours before the event without its knowledge and permission. The GCDA has sought an explanation from Mridanga Vision, the company that organised the event. The authority said safety protocols will be made stricter when the stadium is rented out for non-sports events in the future. The police have booked the organisers for safety negligence.