🚨 A Growing Crisis in Amusement Park Safety in India

🚨 Festive Season Rides in India: Urgent Need for Safety Measures

As India prepares to celebrate Diwali and other major festivals, cities across the country host numerous amusement rides and temporary fairs to bring joy to families. However, what is meant to be a time of celebration has increasingly become a source of danger, with several unfortunate accidents resulting in serious injuries and even fatalities.

Recent months have highlighted the urgency of this issue. On August 17, 2025, in Navsari, Gujarat, a spinning tower drop ride collapsed, injuring four people, including two children. In Chennai, on May 28, 2025, a roller coaster malfunction left 30 people stranded 50 feet above the ground for nearly three hours. Earlier, in April 2025 in Delhi, a 24-year-old woman tragically lost her life after a seat belt failed on a roller coaster. Incidents in Solapur and Rajkot have also claimed multiple lives and caused critical injuries due to poor safety compliance.

These accidents are not isolated. Many temporary rides operate without BIS certification or municipal permits, lack trained operators, and often go unchecked despite being promoted widely on social media. During festive seasons, this combination of negligence and high footfall dramatically increases the risk to children and adults alike.

The Justice Action Network (JAN) has formally raised these concerns with the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) through a detailed complaint submitted on July 12, 2025 (Ref: JAN/12/07/25), requesting immediate action. The complaint urged a suo motu investigation into systemic safety lapses, mandatory safety guidelines for temporary rides, accountability for digital platforms promoting uncertified venues, and the creation of a centralized accident registry. Despite follow-ups, no meaningful action has been reported.

India does have BIS standards for amusement and water rides, such as IS 15475 (Parts 1-6) and IS 15492 (Parts 1-3), but compliance remains mostly voluntary, and enforcement is weak, particularly for temporary festival rides. Globally, countries like the U.S., U.K., China, and EU nations maintain strict, enforceable ride safety regulations, including mandatory certifications, inspections, maintenance logs, centralized accident reporting, and public awareness campaigns during peak seasons. Adopting such practices in India could prevent future tragedies.

Consumers also have a role to play. Before boarding rides, they should check for BIS certification, examine ride conditions, ensure safety restraints are functional, supervise children on age-appropriate rides, and avoid rides in adverse weather. Unsafe conditions or accidents should be reported promptly to the CCPA (com-ccpa@gov.in), local police, municipal authorities, or consumer forums. Additionally, spreading awareness through social media and community networks can help protect others.

With the festive season bringing large crowds, immediate action is critical. JAN has appealed directly to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India and the Minister of Consumer Affairs, urging urgent enforcement of safety standards, regular inspections, accountability for operators and online promotion platforms, and nationwide consumer education campaigns.

This festive season, the safety of amusement rides should be treated as a national priority. Families deserve celebrations that are joyful and safe. With strong regulatory action and vigilant consumer participation, further tragedies can be prevented, ensuring that festivals remain a time of happiness rather than sorrow.

For more details, the full complaint by JAN is available [here]. A visual safety guide for festival-goers has also been prepared, highlighting step-by-step checks and complaint procedures that can be shared widely on social media.

During Diwali and other festivals, temporary fairs with amusement rides spring up in every city. Many of these rides:

• Operate without BIS safety certification or local permits.

• Lack trained operators and regular maintenance checks.

• Are promoted widely on social media without verification.

This environment creates a dangerous situation for children and adults alike, turning festive fun into potential tragedy.

Our Complaint to CCPA

On July 12, 2025, I submitted a detailed complaint to the CCPA (Ref: JAN/12/07/25) requesting:

1. Suo motu investigation into systemic safety lapses.

2. Mandatory safety guidelines for temporary and festive rides.

3. Accountability for digital platforms promoting uncertified venues.

4. A centralized accident registry for amusement and adventure activities.

5. Collaboration with BIS and Ministry of Tourism for enforceable safety codes.

6. Launch of a ‘Jago Grahak Jago’ campaign to educate consumers.

A follow-up email was sent on October 1, 2025, emphasizing the urgency of immediate action during the festive season.

🌍 Learning From Global Best Practices

Countries like the U.S., UK, China, and EU member states have enforceable ride safety standards, including:

• Mandatory certifications and regular inspections.

• Maintenance logs for operators.

• Centralized accident reporting and investigations.

• Suspension of rides during adverse weather or non-compliance.

• Public awareness campaigns during peak seasons.

Adopting similar practices in India can significantly improve safety and prevent avoidable injuries.

🆘 How Consumers Can Protect Themselves

If you witness an accident or notice unsafe rides, you can take the following steps:

1. File a Complaint with CCPA

• Email: com-ccpa@gov.in

• Website: https://www.ccpa.gov.in

• Include location, ride details, photos/videos, and description.

2. Contact Local Authorities

• Police: Call 100 in case of immediate accidents.

• Municipal Authorities: Responsible for temporary fair permits.

3. Consumer Forums / District Commission

• File a formal complaint if CCPA or local authorities fail to act.

4. Raise Public Awareness

• Share unsafe experiences on social media to alert other consumers.

• Encourage friends and family to check ride safety before boarding.

The Need for Immediate Action

With festive seasons bringing massive crowds to amusement rides, urgent action is essential:

• Strict enforcement of BIS guidelines for all rides.

• Regular inspections for both permanent and temporary rides.

• Accountability for operators and online promotion platforms.

• Centralized accident reporting for better monitoring and enforcement.

These steps are crucial to ensure public leisure spaces are genuinely safe.

 Call to Action

Consumers, media, and safety activists must demand accountability. Regulators must enforce safety standards, particularly during festive seasons, to prevent avoidable deaths and injuries.