India, Oct. 31 -- The lights are dazzling, the chaat stalls are buzzing and somewhere above the crowd, a giant wheel is spinning against the night sky. From Dussehra to Diwali, festive melas across Delhi-NCR are drawing crowds, with towering swings and high-speed rides adding to the excitement. But before you buckle in, have you ever wondered who checks whether these rides are safe?

With videos of gravity-defying swings going viral on social media and a recent ride malfunction at a Dussehra mela in Vikaspuri leaving several visitors injured, safety has become a talking point amid the festive rush. After all, the thrill of a giant wheel is one thing, but knowing it has been properly tested is quite another.

For organisers, the preparatio...