To prevent any untoward incident, the Army has sought permission from Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar to build a pontoon bridge. (Photo: Mail Today)

Controversy continues to cloud spiritual guru Sri Sri Ravishankar's mega event in New Delhi with Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today defending the decision to deploy Indian Army soldiers for the construction of bridges over Yamuna, and the Delhi planning body defending its permission for the show.

Parrikar said the decision to employ soldiers for the construction of two pontoon bridges over Yamuna was taken to ensure there is no threat to the security of lakhs of people expected to attend the three-day event starting Friday.

In an exclusive interview with Aaj Tak, Parrikar said the Indian Army has been participating in activities like the Kumbh Mela which attract a large number of people. "It was done with the sole purpose of avoiding accidents," he said.

Meanwhile, the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has also defended its permission to the event being held on the ecologically-sensitive Yamuna floodplains, a decision that was challenged by the National Green Tribunal (NGT).

"Heavens won't fall if the event is held. We can see what needs to be done to restore the area, but today we are at the threshold of the ceremony," the DDA is reported to have told the NGT.

As his Art of Living, the organiser of the World Culture Festival, faced criticism for destroying Yamuna, Sri Sri sought to placate the fears. "I want Yamuna to be clean. We have not cut any tree, some trees were only trimmed," he said, adding that his foundation will leave the spot "a beautiful bio-diversity park".

On Monday, as pictures of soldiers working on the Yamuna bridge for the event began to circulate, President and Supreme Commander of the Army, Pranab Mukherjee, said he will not attend the World Culture Festival.

The president had earlier agreed to attend the opening ceremony on March 11 along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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