The Indian Army, which has built a pontoon bridge on the Yamuna for the Art of Living Foundation’s upcoming World Culture Festival, is likely to build one more to ease movement of lakhs of people who are expected to attend the controversy-ridden mega event.

The development came even as there was criticism from some quarters, including the social media, about using Army to build the floating bridge for such an event.

Social media seemed averse to the use of soldiers to build the bridge for such an event:

Entire GoI & its defence forces seems to have laid itself at the service of the #SriSri-where is the hope for Yamuna?https://t.co/sSQk7JuWaS

— girish nikam (@girish58) March 7, 2016

Instead of private contractors, Indian army soldiers are constructing the pontoon bridges for Sri Sri’s event!pic.twitter.com/1zfFLr4BKC

— santhosh kottayi (@kottayimavoor) March 5, 2016

Indian Army tasked to build floating bridge for Art of Living event Crazy!!

— Yusuf (@YusufDFI) March 7, 2016

Ministry of Defence (MoD) sources on Monday said the army’s help was sought in view of security and safety concern of lakhs of people expected to throng the function. MoD sources said it was not for the first time that the army was engaged in building bridges for an event. “Army personnel have made pontoon bridges during Kumbh mela. The army has even constructed a foot over bridge for the Commonwealth Games after a bridge collapsed a few days before the games commenced.”

Besides these, said MoD sources, the army has been requested to construct six pontoon bridges on the Yamuna, but they are making just one. “However, after the Delhi Government and the Delhi Police raised their concern over the safety and security, including chances of stampede, there is a possibility that the army will build another bridge as well,” said sources.

According to reports the event will feature yoga and meditation sessions, peace prayers and traditional cultural performances from around the world.

With agency inputs