Viral Posts Draw Nearly 6,000 To Futala For ‘Show’ That Was Never Planned Nagpur: Nearly 6,000 people gathered at Futala Lakefront on Independence Day evening, expecting a musical fountain show to reopen, only to learn that no public event had been scheduled. Social media posts and reels circulating ahead of the holiday falsely claimed the fountain would be inaugurated, prompting families and visitors to flock to the lakefront. Police reported the unexpected surge in attendance strained traffic and crowd management efforts, as the usual Independence Day turnout typically saw fewer visitors. Authorities clarified that the viral content had misled the public, with thousands arriving under the impression a public display was planned. Senior police officer Vinod Godbole from Ambazari police station told TOI that visitors were initially confused and blamed the misleading posts for the confusion before leaving after being informed there would be no show. The influx of people disrupted traffic around Futala, affecting nearby roads such as Amravati Road and Telangkhedi Road. Police coordinated efforts to manage both vehicle movement and the crowd, eventually dispersing the visitors. MahaMetro officials confirmed there had been no official announcement inviting the public to Futala. They explained that a 10-minute light-and-sound test conducted on Saturday evening was an internal check as restoration work on the fountain continued. During the test, patriotic songs like “Vande Mataram” and a curated medley were played while newly installed lighting and audio systems were tested. The viewing gallery remained closed during the exercise. A senior MahaMetro official stated the fountain is targeted for opening around November, with details about its launch and public access to be communicated through official channels.#nagpur #mahaMetro #independence_day #futala_lakefront #vinod_godbole
