Tuesday's New Delhi concert by Bryan Adams, seen here performing in Mumbai on Saturday, has been postponed at the last minute. (Sajjad Hussain/AFP/Getty Images)

Bryan Adams's New Delhi concert was postponed Tuesday just hours before the show was to begin, amid reports the anticipated event was oversold and that organizers had not received proper clearance.

The Canadian rocker's concert was expected to draw 20,000 people and the promoters, Netsurf Entertainment, had not received a mandatory clearance certificate for the show to proceed, according to a police official.

"The organizers failed to explain as to how they would manage law and order inside the ground and traffic outside," officer V. Chahal told Agence France-Presse.

"We cannot risk people's lives. Everything has to be in place before the event begins."

After a meeting with Delhi police and fire officials on Tuesday, Netsurf officials announced the postponement, citing technical difficulties and delays caused by heavy rains.

The concert had been slated for the NSIC exhibition grounds in an industrial area of south Delhi.

"Police have cancelled the New Delhi concert tonight due to public safety," Adams told fans via Twitter.

Netsurf has not yet announced a new concert date, but said that those not interested in a new date could get full refunds for their tickets from the point of purchase.

Adams — known for hits like Summer of 69, Heaven, Cuts Like a Knife and (Everything I Do) I Do It For You — is currently on a tour through India, Bangladesh and Nepal.

His recent concerts in Pune, Mumbai and Bangalore attracted large crowds, according to Indian officials.

Adams is also slated to perform during the opening ceremony of cricket's World Cup in Dhaka on Thursday.